The strawberries will be all the riper, and you can get as many as you want in an hour or two." So upon that the party scattered, and the house was deserted to the 'women-folks;' with the exception of little Asahel; and even he was despatched in a few hours to the field with the dinner of his father and brothers.

The girls betook themselves to their room, and wore out the long day as they could.
It grew to the tempting time of the afternoon.
"Here they are!" said Rose who sat at the east window.

"Now for it! That farmer is a very good man.

I really didn't expect it." "_They ?_" said Elizabeth.
"Yes -- both the 'boys,' as the farmer calls them." "I should think one might have been enough," said Elizabeth.
"Well, there's no harm in having two.

Isn't the eldest one handsome ?" "I don't know." "You _do_ know." "I don't! for I haven't thought about it." "Do you have to think before you can tell whether a person is handsome ?" "Yes; -- before I can tell whether I think he is." "Well, look at him, -- I tell you he has the most splendid eyes." "Rose Cadwallader!" said her cousin laying down her book, "what is it to you or me if all the farmer's sons in the land have splendid eyes ?" Elizabeth's eyebrows said it was very little to her.
"I like to look at a handsome face anywhere," said Rose pouting.