She regarded the two with surprise, and perhaps a little distrust.
“You're stirrin' early, strangers,” she said.
“Yes,” answered Melville, courteously, “we are going to take a little walk before breakfast; it may sharpen our appetites.”
“Humph!” said the woman; “that's curious. I wouldn't get up so early if I wasn't obliged. There ain't much to see outdoors.”
“It is a new part of the country to us,” said Melville, “and we may not have another chance to see it.”
“When will breakfast be ready?” asked Herbert.
“Half an hour, more or less,” answered the woman, shortly.
“We will be back in time,” he said.
The landlady evidently thought their early-rising a singular proceeding, but her suspicions were not aroused. She resumed her work, and Herbert and his friend walked out through the open door.
When they had reached a spot a dozen rods or more distant, Melville turned to his young clerk and asked: