"I wish I had time,--" he said, half aloud, while Nebbie wagging his tail violently, sat waiting and expectant. The river looked deliciously tempting. The young green of the silver birches drooping above its shining surface, the lights and shadows rippling across it with every breath of air,--the skimming of swallows to and fro,--the hum of bees among the cowslips, thyme and violets that were pushing fragrantly through the clipped turf,--were all so many wordless invitations to him to go forth into the fair freedom of Nature. "The green trees whispered low and mild, It was a sound of joy! They were my playmates when a child, And rocked me in their arms so wild! Still they looked on me and smiled As if I were a boy!" Such simple lines,--by Longfellow too, the despised of all the Sir Oracles of criticism,--yet coming to Walden's memory suddenly, they touched a chord of vivid emotion. "And still they whispered soft and low! Oh, I could not choose but go!" he hummed half under his breath, and then with a decided movement turned from the winding river towards the house. "No, Nebbie, it's no use," he said aloud, addressing his four-footed comrade, who thereupon got up reluctantly and began to trot pensively beside him--"We mustn't be selfish. There are a thousand and one things to do. There is dinner to be served to the children at two o'clock--there is Mrs. Keeley to call upon--there are the school accounts to be looked into,--" here he glanced at his watch-- " Good Heavens!--how time flies! It is half-past eleven! I shall have to see Bainton later on." He hurried his steps and was just in sight of his study window, when he was met by his parlourmaid, a neat, trim young woman who rejoiced in the euphonious name of Hester Rockett, and who said as she approached him: "If you please, sir, Mrs. Spruce." His genial face fell a little, and he heaved a short sigh. "Mrs. Spruce? Oh, Lord!--I mean, very well! Show her in, Hester. You are sure she wants to see me? Or is it her girl Kitty she is after?" "She didn't mention Kitty, sir," replied Hester demurely; "She said she wished to see you very particular." "All right! Show her into my study, and afterwards just go round to the orchard and tell Bainton I will see him when he's had his dinner. I know I sha'n't get off under an hour at least!"