"There he comes!" said Miss Danforth.
"Who is that with him?" said Faith.
"Reuben Taylor, child," her mother answered.
Then as they came near the gate, and stopped and shook hands, Reuben cried out (in answer to words which they did not hear)
"Let me go! do, please, Mr. Linden!"—and went; while his teacher opened the gate, picked one of the drooping roses, came up the steps and taking off his hat bowed to the assembled ladies.
"Well, Mr. Linden," said Miss Danforth, "how do you find the
Pattaquasset diamonds?"
"I find, madam, that they shine—as is the custom of diamonds."
"Are you going to let Reuben Taylor go?"
"Whither?" said Mr. Linden.
"Why, where he asked you. Is he one of Mr. Somers' precious stones?"