"No matter; they use cows for that purpose here."
"Cows!"
"They are very safe, sure-footed animals. All the ladies ride down to the Falls on cows."
"Are they fools?"
"Wise women. Did not you see that fine drove of cows pass the hotel at sunset?"
"I did. I thought they were driven into the yard to be milked."
"Why, yes; but those cows are making Mr. ---'s fortune. They serve a double purpose, providing delicious butter and cream for his customers, and acting as horses for the ladies. I will pick out the most docile among them for your excursion to-morrow morning, and see it bridled and saddled myself."
This was too much for the gravity of any one. My son-in-law ran out of the room, and I laughed aloud. The poor girls began to find out that they were sold, and retreated into the balcony. An hour afterwards, as I was pacing through the long gallery that led to our sleeping apartment, one of the many doors on either side softly opened, and the youngest of these bright-eyed damsels stole out.
"I want to ask you a question," she said, laying her very white hand confidingly on my arm; "were those Englishmen quizzing my sister and me?"
"Need you ask that question?" said I, not a little amused at her simplicity.