"Are you waiting to see uncle Rolf?" she said, with teeth chattering.
"You mustn't stay out here," said he earnestly--"you're like nothing but a spook this minute--I'd rather see one, or a hull army of 'em. Go in, go in!"
"Tell me if you want to see him, Seth."
"No I don't--I told you I didn't."
"Then why are you waiting for him?"
"I thought I'd see if he was coming home to-night--I had a word to say if I could catch him before he got into the house."
"Is he coming home to-night?" said Fleda.
"I don't know!" said he looking at her. "Do you?"
Fleda burst open the gate between them and putting her hands on his implored him to tell her what was the matter. He looked singularly disturbed; his fine eye twinkled with compassion; but his face, never a weak one, shewed no signs of yielding now.
"The matter is," said he pressing hard both her hands, "that you are fixing to be down sick in your bed by to-morrow. You mustn't stay another second."