The larches alone had as yet any richness of leaf, but the sycamore-buds glittered in the sun, and the hedges in the lower valley made wavy green lines delightful to the eye.

A warm soft air laden with moist scents of earth and plant bathed the whole mountain-side, and played with Louie's hair.
Nature wooed them with her best, and neither had a thought or a look for her.
Suddenly Louie sprang up.
'Theer's Aunt Hannah shoutin.

I mun goo an get t' coos.' David ran down the hill with her.
'What'll yo do if I tell ?' she inquired maliciously at the bottom.
'If yo do I shall cut at yance, an yo'll ha all the longer time to be by yoursen.' A darkness fell over the girl's hard shining gaze.

She turned abruptly, then, when she had gone a few steps, turned and came back to where David stood whistling and calling for the dogs.

She caught him suddenly from behind round the neck.