"Mr. Carleton," said Edith, "wouldn't you have taken the squirrel's chestnuts?"
"I believe I should, Miss Edith,--if I had not been hindered."
"But what would have hindered you? don't you think it was right?"
"Ask your friend Miss Ringgan what she thinks of it," said he smiling.
"Now Mr. Carleton," said Constance as he threw down the magazine, "will you decide that point of English between Miss Ringgan and me?"
"I should like to hear the pleadings on both sides, Miss Constance."
"Well, Fleda, will you agree to submit it to Mr. Carleton?"
"I must know by what standards Mr. Carleton will be guided before I agree to any such thing," said Fleda.
"Standards! but aren't you going to trust anybody in anything without knowing what standards they go by?"
"Would that be a safe rule to follow in general?" said Fleda smiling.