The squire laughed. "Why, yes, my son, we could hardly have had a better, under the circumstances."
"How would you have liked that for an adventure, Ned?" asked Herbert, turning to Edward. "That was strange and unexpected enough to suit you!"
"I shouldn't like it at all," replied Ned, decidedly. "I like pleasant adventures."
"Unluckily, my dear, it is not easy to find adventures which are pleasant and dangerous at the same time," remarked the clergyman. "One is seldom able to enjoy the sublime and beautiful when one is cold, hungry, and in danger of breaking one's neck or being eaten up alive."
"But come, grandmother, it is your turn," said the squire. "Turn and turn-about, you know."
"O yes, do please, grandmamma!" chimed in May and Annie. "Your stories are so nice!"
"Very well, I will tell you a story," said the old lady, smiling; "but I must inform you beforehand that there are no adventures in it, though the incidents which I am about to relate occurred at an early date in the settlement of New York State. We will call it, if you please:
"MY AUNT DEAN'S CARPET."
"I must begin by telling you that all the main incidents of my story are quite true."
"That is nice," whispered Agatha. "I love true stories."