The girls were rather subdued when they bade good-bye to the good Captain and his wife, and turned into the little lane. Cathy pushed her hat restlessly from her forehead; some thought or discontent wrinkled it. "What lots of good people there are in the world after all," she half grumbled. "There are two there," returned her friend, with a gesture of her hands towards Elderberry Lodge. "My visit there has made me sad, and yet it has done me good. I am so glad we went, Cathy." "Good people seem to agree with you; they never make you discontented, as they do me." "No; I like standing on tiptoe till my neck aches. I love size, bigness, grand moral structure; it does one good to breathe the same air with some people; it is like resting on a hill-top and enjoying a wide beautiful view. I don't mind at all being a pigmy among giants. If I had been Gulliver I should have had small sympathy with the Lilliputians. Littleness of mind is abhorrent to me." "There you go," grumbled Cathy; "you sensible people are enough to drive one crazy. Over-much goodness makes me vixenish; I feel inclined to fly in the face of it." "You foolish child." "Mr. Logan is often too much for me, and so is Miss Cosie; I run away from them both sometimes. I'll own, if you like, the disease is infectious to those predisposed to it. If you stay long enough in their vicinity you might catch it, you know. Prevention is better than cure; so, for fear I get too good, I just run away," finished Cathy in her droll manner. In the front court they came upon Garth digging up a little flower-border under the hall window. He threw down his spade when he saw them. "Well, I've settled about the picnic in the granite quarry. We go to-morrow." "Garth, you are a brick; I mean a dear old fellow. Oh," folding her hands pathetically, "don't tell of me, the word only slipped out just by accident. Have you really arranged it?" "Yes; I have had a talk with Langley. She says we must not lose the fine weather. It is not to be a grand affair, mind. Only the Logans, and Fawcetts, and Miss Faith; yes, and Harry Chester." "King Karl! Oh, I am so glad. Why, when did you see him?" "He and Nanette are in there," pointing to the drawing-room. "Don't let me keep you if you want to introduce him to Miss Marriott," as Cathy looked eager and irresolute. "He is a very old friend of ours, and a great favorite with the whole family," he continued, speaking to Queenie; "in fact, Harry is a favorite with every one." "Let her judge for herself," returned his sister, impatiently. "Come, Queenie, let us go in; I have set my heart on being the first to introduce you to the King of Karldale." CHAPTER XIV. IN THE GRANITE QUARRY. "But still she found, or rather thought she found, Her own worth wanting, others to abound; Ascribed above their due to every one, Unjust and scanty to herself alone."--_Dryden._