Miss Trapper had remarked, that, in a few days, she was going to visit her friends in Chemung County, and would probably remain there three months. It struck Matthew as the right time to make a point.
"Then I shall not see you, Miss Trapper, during all that time!" he said, with a sigh.
Miss Trapper levelled a sharp glance at him, and said, "I suppose not."
The remark was tartly made; but Matthew had noticed that she habitually spoke quick and short.
"Our acquaintance has thus far been very pleasant, Miss Trapper; at least on my side," whispered Matthew. "Must it stop here?"
To which Miss Trapper replied, "I don't know."
Though the observation was not encouraging, it was, on the other hand, not entirely forbidding.
"Since we are to be separated for three months, Miss Trapper, might I solicit the great privilege of corresponding with you occasionally?"
Miss Trapper's thin lips expelled two words, like shot out of a gun: "What for?"
"What for?" echoed the amazed Matthew. "Why--for the pleasure of exchanging our ideas, you know."