"Going--off at the corners. I've seen it! Come."
But Fleda said she could listen and work at once, and would not budge. Edith stood looking at her a little while in a kind of admiring sympathy, and then went back to the group.
"Mr. Carleton," said the young lady, who was treading with laudable success in the steps of her sister Constance,--"what has become of that ride you promised to give me?"
"I do not know, Miss Edith," said Mr. Carleton smiling, "for my conscience never had the keeping of it."
"Hush, Edith!" said her mother; "do you think Mr. Carleton has nothing to do but to take you riding?"
"I don't believe he has much to do," said Edith securely. "But Mr. Carleton, you did promise, for I asked you and you said nothing; and I always have been told that silence gives consent; so what is to become of it?"
"Will you go now, Miss Edith?"
"Now?--O yes! And will you go out to Manhattanville, Mr. Carleton!--along by the river?"
"If you like. But Miss Edith, the carriage will hold another--cannot you persuade one of these ladies to go with us?"
"Fleda!" said Edith, springing off to her with extravagant capers of joy,--"Fleda, you shall go! you haven't been out to-day."