"O yes," said Fleda,--"and two or three times over. And there are three great red volumes besides, Robertson's history of something, I believe. I haven't read that either."
"And which of them all do you like the best?"
"I don't know," said Fleda,--"I don't know but I like to read the Encyclopædia as well as any of them. And then I have the newspapers to read too."
"I think, Miss Fleda," said Mr. Carleton a minute after, "you had better let me take you with my mother over the sea, when we go back again,--to Paris."
"Why, sir?"
"You know," said he half smiling, "your aunt wants you, and has engaged my mother to bring you with her if she can."
"I know it," said Fleda. "But I am not going."
It was spoken not rudely but in a tone of quiet determination.
"Aren't you too tired, sir?" said she gently, when she saw Mr. Carleton preparing to launch into the remaining hickory trees.
"Not I!" said he. "I am not tired till I have done, Fairy. And besides, cheese is workingman's fare, you know, isn't it?"