The brook and the stream formed two sides of the clearing.

Beyond them, and along the other two sides of the clearing, the tall trees of those parts of the forest which had not been disturbed, rose like a wall and hemmed the opening closely in.
Albert and Mary Erskine walked along the road through the whole length of the clearing, looking out for the best place to build their house.
"Perhaps it will be lonesome here this winter, Mary," said Albert.

"I don't know but that you would rather wait till next spring." Mary Erskine hesitated about her reply.

She did, in fact, wish to come to her new home that fall, and she thought it was proper that she should express the cordial interest which she felt in Albert's plans;--but, then, on the other hand, she did not like to say any thing which might seem to indicate a wish on her part to hasten the time of their marriage.

So she said doubtfully,--"I don't know;--I don't think that it would be lonesome." "What do you mean, Albert," said Mary Bell, "about Mary Erskine's coming to live here?
She can't come and live here, among all these black stumps and logs." Albert and Mary Erskine were too intent upon their own thoughts and plans to pay any attention to Mary Bell's questions.