"It is hard to condemn me for such unintentional mischief; but since I am to experience so much future remorse on account of your morning visits, I shall take upon myself the responsibility of forbidding them."
"Oh, you wouldn't be so unkind!—especially after all the pains I have taken to impart to you the little I know of horticulture."
"Very little I think it must have been; or I have but a poor memory," said Gertrude, laughing.
"Have you forgotten the pains I took yesterday to acquaint you with the different varieties of roses? Don't you remember how much I had to say of damask roses and damask bloom; and how before I finished, I could not find words enough in praise of blushes, especially such sweet and natural ones as met my eyes while I was speaking?"
"I know you talked a great deal of nonsense. I hope you don't think I listened to it all."
"Oh, Miss Gertrude! It is of no use to say flattering things to you; you always regard my compliments as jokes."
"I have told you, several times, that it was most useless to waste so much flattery upon me. I am glad you are beginning to realise it."
"Well, then, to ask a serious question, where were you this morning at half-past seven?"
"On my way to Boston in the cars."
"Is it possible?—so early! Why, I thought you went at ten. Then, all the time I was watching by the garden wall to say good-morning, you were half-a-dozen miles away. I wish I had not wasted that hour so; I might have spent it in sleeping."