"Nay, I'm sure that the last thing Mr. Asten would wish would be your giving up a principle for his sake! I know, from his face, that his own character is founded on principle. And, besides, here in the country, you don't keep count of hospitality, as they do in the city, and feel obliged to return as much as you receive. So, if you will try to forget what I have said—" Rachel interrupted her. "I meant something different. Joseph knows why I objected to parties. He must not feel under obligations which I stand in the way of his repaying. If he tells me that he should like to invite his friends to this place, I will help him to entertain them." "You _are_ his second mother, indeed," Miss Blessing murmured, looking at her with a fond admiration. "And now I can hope that you will forgive my thoughtlessness. I should feel humiliated in his presence, if he knew that I had repeated his words. But he will not ask you, and this is the end of any harm I may have done." "No," said Rachel, "he will not ask me; but won't I be an offence in his mind?" "I can understand how you feel—only a woman can judge a woman's heart. Would you think me too forward if I tell you what might be done, this once?" She stole softly up to Rachel as she spoke, and laid her hand gently upon her arm. "Perhaps I am wrong—but if _you_ were first to suggest to your nephew that if he wished to make some return for the hospitality of his neighbors,—or put it in whatever form you think best,—would not that remove the 'offence' (though he surely cannot look at it in that light), and make him grateful and happy?" "Well," said Rachel, after a little reflection, "if anything is done, that would be as good a way as any." "And, of course, you won't mention me?" "There is no call to do it—as I can see." "Julia, dear!" cried Anna from the gate; "come and see the last load of hay hauled into the barn!" "I should like to see it, if you will excuse me," said Miss Blessing to Rachel; "I have taken quite an interest in farming." As they were passing the porch, Rachel paused on the step and said to Anna: "You'll bide and get your suppers?" "I don't know," Anna replied: "we didn't mean to; but we stayed longer than we intended—" "Then you can easily stay longer still." There was nothing unfriendly in Rachel's blunt manner. Anna laughed, took Miss Blessing by the arm, and started for the barn. Lucy Henderson quietly turned and entered the house, where, without any offer of services, she began to assist in arranging the table. The two young ladies took their stand on the green, at a safe distance, as the huge fragrant load approached. The hay overhung and concealed the wheels, as well as the hind quarters of the oxen, and on the summit stood Joseph, in his shirt-sleeves and leaning on a pitch-fork. He bent forward as he saw them, answering their greetings with an eager, surprised face.