"I don't think there will be any on them," said Fleda; "Mr. Didenhover has been here lately with the men getting in the coin,--I guess they have cleared the trees."
"Who is Mr. Didenhover?"
"He is grandpa's man."
"Why didn't you bid Mr. Didenhover let the nuts alone?"
"O he wouldn't mind if he was told," said Fleda. "He does everything just as he has a mind to, and nobody can hinder him. Yes--they've cleared the trees--I thought so."
"Don't you know of any other trees that are out of this Mr. Didenhover's way?"
"Yes," said Fleda,--"I know a place where there used to be beautiful hickory trees, and some chestnuts too, I think; but it is too far off for grandpa, and I couldn't go there alone. This is the twenty-acre lot," said she, looking though she did not say it, "Here I leave you."
"I am glad to hear it," said her cousin. "Now give us our directions, Fleda, and thank you for your services."
"Stop a minute," said Mr. Carleton. "What if you and I should try to find those same hickory trees, Miss Fleda? Will you take me with you?--or is it too long a walk?"
"For me?--oh no!" said Fleda with a face of awakening hope; "but," she added timidly, "you were going a shooting, sir?"