The horses were stopped.
"It is only Earl Douglass, our farmer," Fleda said, in explanation: "I want to ask how they are at home?"
In answer to her nod of recognition, Mr. Douglass came to the side of the vehicle; but till he was there, close, gave her no other answer by word or sign; when there, broke forth his accustomed guttural "How d'ye do?"
"How d'ye do, Mr. Douglass," said Fleda. "How are they all at home?"
"Well, there aint nothin' new among 'em, as I've heerd on," said Earl, diligently though stealthily, at the same time qualifying himself to make a report of Mr. Carleton. "I guess they'll be glad to see you. I be."
"Thank you, Mr. Douglass. How is Hugh?"
"He aint nothin' different from what he's been for a spell back at least I ain't heerd that he was. Maybe he is, but if he is, I ha'n't heerd speak of it, and if he was, I think I should ha' heerd speak of it. He was pretty bad a spell ago about when you went away but he's been better sen. So they say. I ha'n't seen him. Well Flidda," he added, with somewhat of a sly gleam in his eye, "do you think you're going to make up your mind to stay to hum this time?"
"I have no immediate intention of running away, Mr. Douglass," said Fleda, her pale cheeks turning rose as she saw him looking curiously up and down the edges of the black fox. His eye came back to hers with a good- humoured intelligence that she could hardly stand.
"It's time you was back," said he. "Your uncle's to hum, but he don't do me much good, whatever he does to other folks, or himself nother, as far as the farm goes; there's that corn "
"Very well, Mr. Douglass," said Fleda, "I shall be at home now, and I'll see about it."