"Oh; it's the second day of the month, you know. I thought perhaps you were."
"He has in his possession a hat which does not belong to him."
"Good gracious, he hasn't been stealing? I don't believe"—making as though to shut the door.
This was too much, and I laughed. "No, my girl; he hasn't been stealing. But, being absent-minded, he has taken another man's hat, and I am bringing his home in hopes of getting the one he took by mistake."
"Oh!" And the maid laughed shrilly.
I held out the hat.
"My land! that's his hat, sure enough. I was wondering what made him look so funny when he went out."
"Where has he gone?" came sharply over my shoulder.
"If you will wait," said the maid good-naturedly, "I will inquire."
We waited. So far as I was concerned, I hoped he was miles away, and that we might go on riding for hours and hours. The maid returned soon.