CONVERSATION III.
THE GLEN.
Behind the house that Lucy lived in, there was a path, winding among trees, which was a very pleasant path to take a walk in. Lucy and Royal often went to take a walk there. They almost always went that way when Miss Anne could go with them, for she liked the place very much. It led to a strange sort of a place, where there were trees, and high, rocky banks, and a brook running along in the middle, with a broad plank to go across. Miss Anne called it the glen.
One morning Miss Anne told Lucy that she was going to be busy for two hours, and that after that she was going to take a walk down to the glen; and that Lucy might go with her, if she would like to go. Of course Lucy liked the plan very much. When the time arrived, they set off, going out through the garden gate. Miss Anne had a parasol in one hand and a book in the other. Lucy ran along before her, and opened the gate.
They heard a voice behind them calling out,
“Miss Anne, where are you going?”
They looked round. It was Royal, sitting at the window of a little room, where he used to study.
“We are going to take a walk,—down to the glen,” said Miss Anne.
“I wish you would wait for me,” said Royal, “only a few minutes; the sand is almost out.”