"Nay, I cannot answer for poor Mrs. Light's conceits. Put your questions in some other form."
"Is there much intimacy between the people of the 'Bush and those of the Hickories?"
"Great—we like them exceedingly; and I think they like us."
"Does this intimacy extend to the young folk, or is it confined to the old?"
"That is somewhat personal," said Kate, laughing, "as I happen to be the only 'young folk' at the 'Bush, to maintain the said intimacy. As there is nothing to be ashamed of, however, but, on the contrary, much of which one may be proud, I shall answer that it includes 'all ages and both sexes;' everybody but yourself, in a word."
"And you like old Mr. Bayard?"
"Amazingly."
"And old Mrs. Bayard?"
"She is a very agreeable person, and an excellent wife and mother."
"And you love Pris Bayard?"