"Exactly.I knew you would say they were too old,or too bald,or too short,or too fat.I've been a girl myself.Of course there is Nat Bonnell,and a lot more little waves and ripples like him,but they always wereout of the question,and now they are ten times more so.
That is the reason,Eloise,"the mother's voice became impressive to the verge of solemnity,"why I feel that Dr.Ballard is almost a providence."The girl's clear eyes were reflective."Nat Bonnell is a wave who wouldn't remember a girl who had slipped out of the swim.""Very wise of him,"returned Mrs.Evringham emphatically."He can't afford to.Nat is--is--a--decorative creature,just as you are,--decorative.He must make it pay,poor boy."
Meanwhile Mrs.Forbes had sought her son in the barn.He and she had had their supper in time for her to be ready to wait at dinner.
"Something doing,something doing,"murmured Zeke as he heard the impetuosity of her approaching step.
"That soup washot!"she exclaimed defiantly.
"Somebody scald you,ma?I can do him up,whoever he is,"said Zeke,catching up a whip and executing a threatening dance around the dimly lighted barn.
His mother's snapping eyes looked beyond him."He said it was cold;but it was only because he was distracted.What do you suppose those people are up to now?Trying to get Essex Maid for Mamzell to ride!"Zeke stopped in his mad career and returned his mother's stare for a silent moment."And not a dungeon on the place probably!"he exclaimed at last."Just like some folks'shiftlessness.""They askedit.They asked Mr.Evringham if that girl couldn't ride Essex Maid while he was in the city!"'Zekiel lifted his eyebrows politely."Where are their remains to be interred?"he inquired with concern.
"Well,not in thisfamily vault,you may be sure.He gave it to them to-night for a fact."Mrs.Forbes smiled triumphantly."'I didn't know Eloise remembered her father,'"she mimicked."I'll bet that got under their skin!""Dear parent,you're excited,"remarked Zeke.