Now, after seeing them, the next thing was to make them see Mosswood; and many were the consultations Maggie and Esther had already held over plans and means. Nothing could be settled after all till the guests came. And when they came, the whole first evening was spent in joyous talk and recollections. But the next morning before breakfast Maggie and Meredith met at the house door. Meredith had been out walking.
"How do you like it?" she asked daringly, clasping his hand, while her eyes looked love and pleasure hard into his face.
"It is the most beautiful place I ever saw in my life!"
"And it is such a nice day," said Maggie gleefully. "What shall we do to-day?"
"Let us be out of doors!"
"Oh yes, we'll be out of doors," said Maggie; "but where shall we go?"
"Nowhere out of Mosswood—if you ask me. I don't want anything else."
"Well, Mosswood is pretty good," said Maggie, "because, when you are at Mosswood you have the hills and the river and all, besides Mosswood, you know—O Meredith! I have thought of something!"
"I dare say," Meredith answered smiling. "That is quite in your way."
"This is something nice. Suppose we go out and have dinner in the woods?"