Wade knew his own power better than any other person. He merely smiled at the old man's great enthusiasm, then turned to Nora, who had stood listening to everything, feeling a higher admiration for Jack Wade.
"We'll take that trip to the brook to-day, if you like," he said. "The day is so calm and the air so invigorating, it will do us good."
"I shall be pleased," she said. "Shall we go at once?"
"If it won't interfere with your duties at home."
"Nuthin' ter hinder," said Mrs. Judson; "she kin go when she wants."
The little wild flowers that earlier in the year were so bright and happy were now a little drooped, having gone through the warm summer with but little water; however, they still nodded approvingly as the two passed astride the gentle steeds.
"When we were here last," said Wade, "the spring was just appearing and everything was so beautifully green."
"The summer sun has been too much for the foliage and flowers," replied Nora.
"That is only to remind us of what humanity must pass through," said Jack. "The bloom of youth is upon us, we are now in the springtime of our lives, fresh and gay; but the great hot summer of time must pass over our heads to wither us as the summer sun has withered and drooped the sweet little flowers. The cold winters of time must pass over us to silver the golden curls and gray the hair as the summer sun has given a golden tint to those once green leaves yonder."
"Oh, Jack, must it be so?"