The chirp of a robin on the bough above his head awakened him, and his awakenment was accompanied by a sigh.

Here was the world in which he had lived; here the plowed field, the high road yonder, and Mary, stripping ivy from the trees.

When he came up with her he linked his arm through hers and said: "Now, Mary, what's all this about America ?" There was a brotherly kindness in his voice which seemed to her magnanimous, when she reflected that she had cut short his explanations and shown little interest in his change of plan.

She gave him her reasons for thinking that she might profit by such a journey, omitting the one reason which had set all the rest in motion.

He listened attentively, and made no attempt to dissuade her.