"You have chosen rather an ugly day for your walk, Miss
Alice."
"Can't expect pretty days in December, Miss Fortune. I am only too happy it doesn't storm; it will by to-morrow, I think. But I have learned not to mind weathers."
"Yes, I know you have," said Miss Fortune. "You'll stop up on the mountain till supper-time, I guess won't you?"
"Oh, yes; I shall want something to fortify me before coming home after such a long tramp. You see I have brought a basket along. I thought it safest to take a loaf of bread with me, for no one can tell what may be in Mrs. Vawse's cupboard, and to lose our supper is not a thing to be thought of."
"Well, have you looked out for butter, too? for you'll find none where you're going. I don't know how the old lady lives up there, but it's without butter, I reckon."
"I have taken care of that, too, thank you, Miss Fortune. You see I'm a far-sighted creature."
"Ellen," said her aunt, as Ellen now, cloaked and hooded, came in, "go into the buttery and fetch out one of them pumpkin pies to put in Miss Alice's basket."
"Thank you, Miss Fortune," said Alice, smiling; "I shall tell Mrs. Vawse who it comes from. Now, my dear, let's be off; we have a long walk before us."
Ellen was quite ready to be off. But no sooner had she opened the outer shed door than her voice was heard in astonishment.
"A cat! What cat is this? Miss Alice! look here! here's the Captain I do believe."