A little unverbalized sound answered that, and Mrs. Somers said good evening and walked on. Faith thought that was the end, as they were near her own door. But Dr. Harrison followed her in; and entering the sitting-room, Faith found that her meetings were not over. There was no less a person than Mrs. Stoutenburgh, and there also, regaling her eyes and ears, were Mrs. Derrick and Mr. Linden. Mrs. Stoutenburgh was a fair, pretty, curly-haired woman, a good deal younger than the Squire, intensely devoted to her own family, and very partial to Mr. Linden--whom she had taken under her wing (figuratively) from his first coming to Pattaquasset. The first sound Faith heard as she opened the door was Mrs. Stoutenburgh's merry laugh at some remark of his--then the lady jumped up and came towards her. "My dear Faith, how do you do?--Dr. Harrison--I half said I would never speak to you again! Faith, how can you trust yourself with him for one minute?" "Mrs. Stoutenburgh," said the doctor,--"I half thought I would shoot myself!" "I guess that's as near as you'll come to it, on purpose," said Mrs. Stoutenburgh. "You needn't think I shall forget it--whenever I want Faith to come and see me I shall tell Mr. Linden to bring her. He's safe--or supposed to be," she added laughingly. "I hope that's as near to it as I shall ever come on purpose, or _otherwise_, Mrs. Stoutenburgh!" said the doctor. "I think you should judge me safer than Mr. Linden,--as appearances go." "Squire Deacon used to tell very hard stories of him when he first came," said the lady--"and I _have_ heard a report or two since. I do love to talk to him about it!--he always looks so grave, I think he likes it." The laugh was mutual, whether the delight was or no. "Who is Squire Deacon?" said the doctor. "I should like to make his acquaintance." Faith took off her bonnet, and then pulled off her gloves, deliberately, and bestowed them on the table. "O he's a Pattaquasseter," said Mrs. Stoutenburgh--"haven't you seen his sister? She admires you--more than I think she need," she added mischievously. "But the Squire's been away for awhile,--he just got home this afternoon." Faith had recourse to the fire. The doctor came round, took the tongs from her and did the work; after which he took a somewhat succinct leave of the assembly. "By the way, Linden," he said pausing by his chair a moment,--"I expect to be in Quilipeak for a few days--I am very sorry, but I must. You won't want me, I think. Limbre can do all that is necessary. I shall see you Monday or Tuesday again." "Doctor!" said Mrs. Stoutenburgh--"I want you to take me home. Mr. Stoutenburgh always makes such a fuss if I'm out after dark and don't bring anybody home to tea, that I never dare do it." "Will you trust yourself with me, Mrs. Stoutenburgh?" said the doctor standing in comical doubt.