To his surprise Blossom, dressed as though for church, appeared there at the instant.
"Why, where in thunder are you going ?" he demanded, releasing Archie, who staggered back at the sudden withdrawal of the powerful grasp.

He had always known that his niece was a handsome girl, but the bloom, the softness of her beauty came to him while he stood there, as vividly as if for the first time.
"I--I--have you seen grandma's cat ?" she returned after the breathless suspense of a minute.
"No, I don't think you'll find her down there.

Archie and Mr.Jonathan have quarreled loud enough to frighten her away." "Quarreled again!" she said.

"Oh, why have they quarreled again ?" "He must keep off our place," replied Archie, angrily.

"I warned him I'll set the dogs on him the next time I find him on this side the fence!" "How--how can you be so uncivilized ?" she returned, and there were tears in her eyes.
"Uncivilized or not, he'll find he can't split my lip open for nothing," growled Archie, like a sullen child.
"You'd as well come back with us," said Abel, "the cat isn't down there--I'd take a look in the mill." She turned her face away, stooping to pluck the withered frond of a fern that grew in the path.