"Eunice," said Mrs Stone, "there is something I want to say to you, only I am afraid you won't like it." "Even if I shouldn't like it, I don't know that that would be a good reason why you shouldn't say it," responded Eunice, with a smile. They were sitting together in the front porch, into which the sun was shining brightly; and in September days, when the afternoons are shortening, the sunshine is welcome among these hills, for warmth as well as brightness. They had been sitting there for an hour or two, sometimes exchanging a word about their work, or their neighbours, or the passers-by, but on the whole inclined to silence. Eunice had a book on her lap, and her sewing also, but they had both been neglected for a while. Mrs Stone was knitting steadily on, as if there were nothing more interesting to her at the moment than her monotonous work. Fidelia had gone with the Everett children and their mother, and several other young people, on the long-talked-of blackberrying expedition, which had been delayed so often for one reason and another that the chances were against success, as far as the fruit was concerned. There had been some discussion as to the wisdom of calling it a nutting expedition instead, though it was early yet to think of getting nuts. But it did not really matter about either the one or the other. The chances were they would find that which they were seeking, though they should get neither nuts nor berries. The young people had gone in Deacon Ainsworth's hay-cart, seated on a pile of fragrant hay, and with Jabez in charge of the oxen. Mrs Stone had been invited to go with them, but she had declined. "Mother is coming in the chaise, and Uncle Justin," said Susie Everett. "Mother was afraid of the hay-cart. If you can drive, you might go with mother, Mrs Stone. Uncle Justin wouldn't mind going in the cart, I am sure." "No, I don't much believe he would, under the circumstances," Mrs Stone had answered; but she still declined. The invitation had been renewed when the chaise passed half-an-hour afterwards, but had been again declined. "I should have liked to go, just to know how it would seem to be there again," said she. But she had a stronger reason for staying than for going. She had something to say to Eunice which it would be as well to say when Fidelia was not within call. "Well?" said Eunice, after a pause. "Well; it isn't so much that I am afraid you won't like it, as that I shall hurt you." "But if it is to do me good, I shall not mind the hurt after a little." "But then I should feel dreadfully if you were to turn round and tell me I'd better mind my own business." "A good deal of my business is yours now, Ruby," said Eunice, smiling still, but with a slow rising of colour to her cheeks. "Well, I don't know, certainly, that you will think this is; but I know that I mean you nothing but good, and her too." "Fidelia! Say what you have to say, Ruby."