“I heard them tuning up,” he remarked. “They seemed to do that very well.”
Aunt Philomela arose with that decisiveness which brooked no argument. It was disgracefully early to retire and yet he knew she had that in mind. And she would bear off the girl with her.
Which, with a curt good-night, she promptly did.
CHAPTER X
ON TROUT FISHING AND BOW-KNOTS
With what seemed to Barnes an inspired appetite, Mr. Van Patten expressed a wish for brook-trout.
“Eleanor knows the stream,” he said. “And perhaps you yourself would enjoy a little fishing.”
“I’d like nothing better,” Barnes responded heartily. “I’ll see if she will go this afternoon.”
Accordingly he began a still hunt for her and surprised her from ambush as she was passing through the living-room.
“Your father wishes us to go fishing,” he informed her bluntly lest she should disappear before he had time to announce the glad news.
“Oh dear, I have so much to do,” she exclaimed.