"Is that her lot, Mrs. Evelyn?" he said with a somewhat incredulous smile.
"Why no--not precisely,--" said the lady,--"you know in the country, or you do not know, the ministers are half farmers, but I suppose not more than half; just such a mixture as will suit Fleda, I should think. She has not told me in so many words, but it is easy to read so ingenuous a nature as hers, and I have discovered that there is a most deserving young friend of mine settled at Queechy that she is by no means indifferent to. I take it for granted that will be the end of it," said Mrs. Evelyn, pinching her sofa cushion in a great many successive places with a most composed and satisfied air.
But Mr. Carleton did not seem at all interested in the subject, and presently introduced another.
Chapter XXXV.
It is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes, and so encounter.--As You Like It.
"What have we to do to-night?" said Florence at breakfast the next morning.
"You have no engagement, have you?" said her mother.
"No mamma," said Constance arching her eyebrows,--"we are to taste the sweets of domestic life--you as head of the family will go to sleep in the dormeuse, and Florence and I shall take turns in yawning by your side."
"And what will Fleda do?" said Mrs. Evelyn laughing.
"Fleda, mamma, will be wrapped in remorseful recollections of having enacted a mob last evening and have enough occupation in considering how she shall repair damages."