In a moment, however, she redeemed herself by saying suddenly, looking ahead as if speaking of something she saw, “I have it, Miss Elsa said that you were going to build a small house somewhere on the new land, where you and your friends could build a fire in cold weather, and cook supper or have afternoon tea, and that you would keep a man in it to protect the game.”
“Yes, I’m going to build at once, for every bird and flower will be killed or carried away if I do not take care; but if the land is protected, I am more than willing to have the villagers use it for their outings, say two days a week in summer time.”
“The very thing,” continued Letty, growing more earnest, “cut through the lane from road to road, and make a new street in Dogtown, then put a gate in the middle; that will be by the Herb Witch’s old house. Make the house warm and snug, clear out the old garden paths, and then use it for a gate-house. Let the game protector man live there as company for Mrs. Carr, and make her the gate-keeper. In France the gate-keepers at many estates are the old women. Then such pay as you may give her can be eked out by allowing her to sell tea and bread, jam and cookies to the picnickers, and she can always cook your supper when you wish. That kitchen with the wide chimney would make a charming room. I can see it now with blue and white paper and dark furniture. She would be independent too, poor soul. You know what Anne said about the dead tree and Robin Hood’s barn? Bien—let us call the house Robin Hood’s Inn, because it sheltered us when we were on the way to nowhere.”
“Good work,” cried Mr. Hugh, clapping his hands so enthusiastically that he nearly dropped the reins, and Artful took another skirmish. “If all is satisfactory when I go up there to-morrow I will begin work next Monday. Do you know, I’m awfully obliged to you, Miss Letty. I’m a slow fellow for thinking out things, and two heads are better than one, though this idea came from only one, and that’s yours. Hullo, where are we going?” For in their eagerness they had passed the Hill Farm and were spinning down hill.
When they had turned back, Miss Jule met them at the gate, saying, “All’s well that ends well; but I was afraid just now that Artful was running away.”
“Oh, no,” said Mr. Hugh, “we were having a most interesting conversation, and if you will ask me in to tea you shall pass upon our scheme.”
“I’m sorry you had to ride home with the Great Bear,” said Anne, innocently, as they went upstairs to get ready for supper. “I love to drive with Mr. Hugh, he is teaching me the names of all the rocks.”
“There are bears and bears,” replied Miss Letty, smiling to herself in the mirror. “Also geese that make good guide-posts.”
