"I don't know exactly threepence, or sixpence, perhaps I guess not so much they are so easily raised; though I don't believe there are so fine as mine to be seen in this region. If I only had somebody to water the strawberries! we should have a great many. Aunt Lucy, I am going to send as many as I can without robbing uncle Rolf he sha'n't miss them; but the rest of us don't mind eating rather fewer than usual? I shall make a good deal by them. And I think these morning rides do Hugh good; don't you think so?"
"And what have you been busy about ever since breakfast,
Fleda?"
"Oh two or three things," said Fleda, lightly.
"What?"
"I had bread to make and then I thought, while my hands were in, I would make a custard for uncle Rolf."
"You needn't have done that, dear, it was not necessary."
"Yes it was, because, you know, we have only fried pork for dinner to-day; and while we have the milk and eggs, it doesn't cost much the sugar is almost nothing. He will like it better, and so will Hugh. As for you," said Fleda, gently touching her forehead again, "you know it is of no consequence!"
"I wish you would think yourself of some consequence," said
Mrs. Rossitur.
"Don't I think myself of consequence?" said Fleda, affectionately. "I don't know how you'd all get on without me. What do you think I have a mind to do now, by way of resting myself?"
"Well?" said Mrs. Rossitur, thinking of something else.