And you'll see I didn't do it." And then she continued her novel.

"But while my thoughts were thus employ-ed, I heard Lord Edward burst into bark-ter--" At this Euphemia and I could not help bursting into laughter.

Pomona did not seem at all confused, but went on with her reading.
"I hurried to the door, and, look-ing out, I saw a wagon at the gate.
Re-pair-ing there, I saw a man.

Said he, 'Wilt open this gate ?' I had fasten-ed up the gates and remov-ed every steal-able ar-ticle from the yard." Euphemia and I looked at each other.

This explained the absence of the rustic seat and the dipper.
"Thus, with my mind at ease, I could let my faith-ful fri-end, the dog (for he it was), roam with me through the grounds, while the fi-erce bull-dog guard-ed the man-si-on within.