The minister opened his mouth to reply, but as the first word trembled on his lips, Gay gave a whoop, cleared the stoop with one bound and ran toward the pear orchard.
"What is it now?" said Miss Linn, plaintively.
The company rose with one accord and sought the lawn, where they had a view of Gay, then in the midst of a group of boys, dealing blows right and left.
"Is she fighting?" groaned Miss Linn.
"Oh, she will be hurt!" cried Miss Celia. "May, my dear child, come here."
"What does it mean?" gasped the doctor's wife.
"Let her alone; she's a scientific boxer," the doctor cried, after a hasty glance.
"A scientific boxer!" cried Miss Linn, clinging to Celia's arm for support. "Elinor's daughter that!"
"I dare say it's so," said the doctor's wife. "I have heard that the best families in New York are making athletes of their girls."