"Are you so very tired, Marie?" asked Bram, anxiously.
"Oh no," answered Marion, gayly; "it is only Gerty's extra care for me. I don't think I am more tired than a night's rest will cure."
"And in that uneasy little buggy, with that fidgety, hard-pulling pony," continued Gerty; "but I suppose Father Van Alstine would not spare any of the other horses. Well, here is Jenny to say that tea is ready. Put on another plate, Jenny. Mr. Van Alstine's brother will stay to tea."
"To tea!" said Asahel. "You don't mean to go back to-night, Bram?"
"No," answered Bram, quietly. "I can't possibly go back to-night, but I can go down to the parsonage if my stay here is an inconvenience to Gerty. I dare say Tom Landon will make room for me."
"You will do nothing of the sort," said Gerty. "Don't be so dreadfully touchy, Bram. I thought you had got over that."
Bram made no answer.
Gerty led the way to the supper-room, and having made everybody thoroughly uncomfortable, laid herself out to be as amiable and gracious as she knew how to be.
"What time shall you go to-morrow, Bram?" asked Marion, taking advantage of a minute or two when she had him to herself.
"As early as I can conveniently get away. I wish you were going back with me. Hadn't you better?"