"Wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandize"
And shall I be afraid of Miss Pew, when the path to my paradise lies so near?'
'Please don't talk such nonsense,' pleaded Ida; 'Fräulein will think you a very absurd person.'
But Miss Wolf protested that she would think nothing of the sort.
Sentiment of that kind was her idea of common sense.
'I am established at Penton Hook,' said Brian. 'I live on the water, and my only thought in life is to be near you. I shall know every stump of willow—every bulrush before I am a month older.'
'But surely you are not going to stay at Penton Hook for a month!' exclaimed Ida, 'buried alive in that little lock-house?'
'I shall have my daily resurrection when I see you.'
'But you cannot imagine that I shall walk upon this path every afternoon, in order that you may land and talk nonsense?' protested Ida.
'I only imagine that this path is your daily walk, and that you would not be so heartless as to change your habits in order to deprive me of the sunshine of your presence,' replied Brian, gazing at her tenderly, as if Miss Wolf counted for nothing, and they two were standing alone among the reeds and willows.
'You will simply make this walk impossible for me. It is quite out of the question that I should come here again so long as you are likely to be lying in wait for me. Is it not so, Fräulein? You know Miss Pew's way of thinking, and how she would regard such conduct.'