"Well, I can tell you something."
"Have you seen her?"
"Yes; but it was a long while ago—about a fortnight after you left."
"Well! where was she? what was she doing?"
"Where was she? in the woods, returning from the road, where she had been watching for you, no doubt. What was she doing?—weeping; that is her only resource now, I fancy."
"She was weeping!"
"Yes; and I confess that she made my heart ache."
"Poor child! but you spoke to her, I suppose—she saw you? Tell me about it."
"She saw me; indeed, she recognized me, although she had seen me only once. You didn't tell me that she was dumb, but I very soon understood her pantomime. She counted off the days you had been away, and asked me if you would return soon. I told her yes."
"Ah! you did well."