"I consider it my duty to keep you well informed as to yours."
"But then!" said Faith, who by dint of trotting had got into as merry a mood as her gentleness often wore, "I hope you will also think it your duty, Mr. Linden, to tell me how I can perform mine. Will you?"
"Of course!—please speak a few sensible words to me at once."
"You begin with the easiest thing!" said Faith.
"Yes, I am generally considerate. But as it is part of my duty to hear a little good music, I am willing you should sing first."
Music he had, though not exactly of the specified sort; for Faith's laugh rolled along the road, like the chafing of silver pebbles in a brook.
"Now for the next part," said Mr. Linden smiling.
"I think I have done too much already," said Faith growing grave. "Besides," she added, the corners of her mouth all alive again, "I don't remember what the next part is, Mr. Linden."
"Why the sensible words!—what are the most sensible you can think of on a sudden, Miss Faith?"
"I don't know that I could think of anything very sensible on a sudden,
Mr. Linden. Is it my duty to do it on sudden?"