"There's no need of it, either," said Faith laughing,—"for you can sing if I can't."
"No, there is no need of it, and therefore—Now, little bird, will you please not to fly past the outlet of Kildeer river?"
Laughing, colouring, Faith nevertheless bent a very earnest attention upon this difficult piece of navigation. For the opening of Kildeer river was as yet but slightly to be discerned;—a little break in the smooth shore line,—a very little atmospheric change in the soft leafy hues of the nearer and further point. Faith watched, as only a young steersman does, for the time and place where her rudder should begin to take cognizance of the approaching change of course. A little wider the break in the shore line grew,—more plain the mark of a break in the trees,—and almost suddenly the little stream unfolded its pretty reach of water and woodland, stretching in alluringly with picturesque turns of its mimic channel. Faith needed a little help now, for the river was not everywhere navigable; but after a few minutes of pretty sailing among care-requiring rocks and sand-banks, where the loss of wind made their progress slow, the little skiff was safely brought to land at a nice piece of gravelly shore. It was wonderful pretty! The trees with their various young verdure came down to the water's edge, with many a dainty tint; here one covered with soft catkins of flower,—there one ruddy with not yet opened buds. The winding banks of the stream on one hand; and on the other the little piece of it they had passed over, with the breadth of the Mong beyond. Through all, May's air and Spring's perfume, and the stillness of noonday.
"Inverted in the tide
Stand the grey rocks, and trembling shadows throw.
And the fair trees look over, side by side,
And see themselves below."
So Mr. Linden told Faith, as he was putting his sail in trim repose, and then—telling her that the guiding power was still in her hands, requested to know what they should do next.
"Why," said Faith merrily, "I thought you had business to attend to?"
"I had—" said Mr. Linden,—"but I reflected that you would probably give me full occupation, and so got rid of the business first."
"Then you have nothing to do here?"
"A great deal, I suppose; but I know not what."
Faith fairly sat down to laugh at him.