"It is my work. Has Dr. Carroll come this morning?"
"He had not when I left the house."
"He will, though, I think. Are we to go back now?"
"Not until you are quite ready, mademoiselle."
"I'm ready. I must take this with me." From a little bag hanging at her side she drew a small pruning-knife and two pieces of cotton cloth. Having cut the stem of the plant before her, she wrapped about it one square of the cloth and took it up in her left hand.
"Permit me to carry it for you."
"Hold it, then, where the cloth is."
"Why? Surely it is not unsafe to touch?" He looked at her curiously.
"I don't know. Some things are. This is a spotted-hemlock. I fancied it a water plant, but 'tis another variety. I will test it to-day, if the doctor doesn't come. Oh! Here is something more to take home." Down in the soil at their feet grew two large fungi, which bore a slight resemblance to table mushrooms, but were far more beautiful than they. The umbrella-shaped cups were of a brilliant scarlet color, fading inwards, in gracefully curving lines, to a pale centre. A faint acrid odor emanated from them as Deborah knelt and cut them deftly at the ground's edge. Taking them up in her cloth, she held them a little away from her face.
"What's dose, Miss Deb?" inquired Sambo, eying them admiringly.