"Why the windows are open!" said Mrs. Derrick—"and we might have had the curtains drawn back, too, but I always feel as if some one was looking in."
Which remark did not delay the Squire's departure, and Mrs. Derrick followed him to the door, talking all the way.
During which little 'passage' Faith's behaviour again transcended all rules. For she stood before the dish of chestnuts, fingering one or two, with a somewhat unsteady motion of the corners of her mouth; and then put both her hands to her face and laughed, her low but very merriment-speaking laugh.
"Miss Faith," Mr. Linden said, "I think Job was an extraordinary man!—and the chestnuts are not so bad as they are reported, after all."
Faith became grave, and endeavoured to make trial of the chestnuts, without making any answer.
"Child," said Mrs. Derrick returning, "I don't think the Squire felt just comfortable—I wonder if he's well?"
Which remark brought down the house.
"By the way—" said Mr. Linden looking up,—"did you lose a bow of ribband from your sunbonnet, the other day at Neanticut?"
Faith owned to having lost it somewhere.
"I found it somewhere—" said Mr. Linden with a rather peculiar look, as he took out the bow of ribband.