"Don't want to let the summer get the start of you," the young man generalized, and Miss Bingham said,-- "Mr. Langbourne, Mr. Dickery." The young man silently shook hands with Langbourne, whom he took into the joke of Miss Bingham with another smile; and she went on: "Say, John, I wish you'd tell Jenny I don't see why we shouldn't go this afternoon, after all." "All right," said the young man. "I suppose you're coming too?" she suggested. "Hadn't heard of it," he returned. "Well, you have now. You've got to be ready at two o'clock." "That so?" the young fellow inquired. Then he walked away among the logs, as casually as he had arrived, and Miss Bingham rose and shook some bits of bark from her skirt. "Mr. Dickery is owner of the mills," she explained, and she explored Langbourne's face for an intelligence which she did not seem to find there. He thought, indifferently enough, that this young man had heard the two girls speak of him, and had satisfied a natural curiosity in coming to look him over; it did not occur to him that he had any especial relation to Miss Bingham. She walked up into the village with Langbourne, and he did not know whether he was to accompany her home or not. But she gave him no sign of dismissal till she put her hand upon her gate to pull it open without asking him to come in. Then he said, "I will send Miss Simpson's letters to her at once." "Oh, any time will do, Mr. Langbourne," she returned sweetly. Then, as if it had just occurred to her, she added, "We're going after May-flowers this afternoon. Wouldn't you like to come too?" "I don't know," he began, "whether I shall have the time--" "Why, you're not going away to-day!" "I expected--I--But if you don't think I shall be intruding--" "Why, _I_ should be delighted to have you. Mr. Dickery's going, and Jenny Dickery, and Barbara. I don't _believe_ it will rain." "Then, if I may," said Langbourne. "Why, certainly, Mr. Langbourne!" she cried, and he started away. But he had gone only a few rods when he wheeled about and hurried back. The girl was going up the walk to the house, looking over her shoulder after him; at his hurried return she stopped and came down to the gate again. "Miss Bingham, I think--I think I had better not go." "Why, just as you feel about it, Mr. Langbourne," she assented. "I will bring the letters this evening, if you will let me--if Miss Simpson--if you will be at home." "We shall be very happy to see you, Mr. Langbourne," said the girl formally, and then he went back to his hotel. XI.