Ten o'clock, and a soft, fair, mild day as could ever have been wished for. Not much haze to-day, yet a tempered sunlight, such as October rejoices in. No wind, and a blue sky far more tender in hue and less intense than that of summer. Little racks of cloud scattered along the horizon were, like everything else in nature, quiet and at rest; no hurry, no driving; no storms, no ripening sun-heat; earth's harvests gathered in and done for that year, and nature at rest and at play. And with slow, leisurely strokes of the oar, the little boat fell down with the tide; she was at play too. Sunshades were not opened; shawls were not unfolded; in the perfection of atmosphere and temperature there was nothing to do but to breathe and enjoy. At first even talking was checked by the calm beauty, the grand hush, of earth and sky. The boat crossed over to Gee's Point, and from there coasted down under the shore. There the colours of the woods showed plainly in their variety; dark red oaks, olive green cedars, dusky chestnut oaks and purple ashes; with now and then a hickory in clear gold, or a maple flaunting in red and yellow. They all succeeded one another in turn, with ever fresh combinations; on the opposite shore the same thing softened by distance; overhead that clear, pale blue of October. "I do not realise that I am living in the common world!" said Flora at last. "I seem to be floating somewhere in fairy-land." "It's October--that is all," said Mr. Murray. "Then I never saw October before." "Aren't you glad to make his acquaintance?" said her brother. "But how can one come down to November after it?" "Oh, November is _lovely_!" cried Maggie. "It is lovely here." "At Mosswood? Well, I can believe it. But at Leeds November comes with a scowl and a bluster and takes one by the shoulders and gives one a shake--to put one in order for winter, I suppose." "I don't think shaking puts anything in order," remarked Esther. "No. Now _this_--" said Flora, wistfully looking around her--"this comes as near making me feel good, as anything can." "Take a lesson--" said Mr. Murray. "But after all, the months must be according to their nature," said Flora. "Certainly. The difference is, that _you_ may choose what manner of nature you will be of. It all depends, you know," Mr. Murray went on smiling, "on how much of the sun the months get. And on how much of the sun you get." "How can I choose?" said Flora. "How? Why, you may be in the full sunshine all the time if you like."