"But you are not always cracking nuts."
"Oh no, to be sure not; but there are plenty of other pleasant things to do. I dare say grandpa would have bought some nuts, but I had a great deal rather have those we get ourselves, and then the fun of getting them, besides, is the best part."
Fleda was tramping over the ground at a furious rate.
"How many do you count upon securing to-day?" said Mr.
Carleton, gravely.
"I don't know," said Fleda, with a business face, "there are a good many trees, and fine large ones, and I don't believe anybody has found them out they are so far out of the way; there ought to be a good parcel of nuts."
"But," said Mr. Carleton, with perfect gravity, "if we should be lucky enough to find a supply for your winter's store, it would be too much for you and me to bring home, Miss Fleda, unless you have a broomstick in the service of fairydom."
"A broomstick!" said Fleda.
"Yes, did you never hear of the man who had a broomstick that would fetch pails of water at his bidding?"
"No," said Fleda, laughing. "What a convenient broomstick! I wish we had one. But I know what I can do, Mr. Carleton, if there should be too many nuts for us to bring home, I can take Cynthy afterwards and get the rest of them. Cynthy and I could go grandpa couldn't, even if he was as well as usual, for the trees are in a hollow away over on the other side of the mountain. It's a beautiful place."
"Well," said Mr. Carleton, smiling curiously to himself, "in that case I shall be even of more use than I had hoped. But shan't we want a basket, Miss Fleda?"