The precise duration of my nap I could not tell; but when I awoke, it was to find Mr. Rutledge standing by me, I started up, and he said: "I meant to be angry, but you look so pale and tired I think you are punished enough already. Does your head ache still?" he continued, laying his hand on my shoulder. "You would have done better to have followed my advice. I knew you would repent." "I don't repent, though," I said, quite decidedly. "I haven't even thought of repenting, and would do it all over again, if the same circumstances occurred." "You begin to relent toward Mrs. Roberts, then," he said, coolly. "I thought yesterday you didn't particularly affect my worthy housekeeper." "My liking or disliking her doesn't alter the question of my duty. And, Mr. Rutledge, I don't think it's kind in you to pretend not to understand my motive. You must know that in all reason, I could not prefer staying worrying in the house over some tiresome accounts, to going out on such a splendid day; and you must see that there was no way for me to refuse her conscientiously. You yourself say she is old, and particular, and fixed in her ways; and I am certain you often put yourself out to humor her; how can you blame me for not leaving her to fret and worry over something that I could do for her in half the time?" Mr. Rutledge looked down at me, but said nothing, while I briefly concluded my defence, adding at the end, a concise request that he'd please not say anything more about the matter. "We will consider it amicably adjusted, then," he said, "and direct our attention to something else. What, for instance, do you propose doing with yourself this afternoon?" "I haven't thought anything about it. Take a walk, perhaps." "You are so fond of being useful," he said, rather wickedly, "would you like to go down to the village for the letters?" "Yes, I should like it very well, only I don't know the way exactly; but I suppose I can inquire." "Will you ride or walk? Michael can drive you down, or Kitty can walk with you." "I think I'll walk, if it makes no difference," I said, indifferently. "I suppose," said Mr. Rutledge, "you don't like riding on horseback?" Like it! There was no need to answer; my face told fully my enthusiastic preference for that mode of travel. "I do not know if there is any horse in the stable that I would venture to let you ride. Madge I am afraid of. How long since you've ridden?" "Not since I've been away at school; but I'm not a bit afraid. I used to ride constantly at home. I had the dearest little pony; but he was spirited enough, and I always managed him. I don't really think you need be afraid to trust me," I went on, pleadingly.