Both children nodded affirmatively. "Do you love him?" "Yes; would you like to take him home with you, too?" Socky asked, with a look of deep interest. If they were to go he would wish to have his new uncle with them, and Sue saw the point. "He can carry you on his back and growl jes' like a bear," she urged. "He can put his mouth on your cheek and make such a funny noise." Miss Dunmore looked away, blushing red. It was a curious kind of love-making. She whispered in the ear of the little girl, "Would you let me have him?" Sue looked up into her eyes doubtfully. "She wants our Uncle Robert," Socky guessed aloud. "But not to keep?" Sue questioned, as if it were not to be thought of. The eyes of the children were looking into those of "the beautiful lady." "I couldn't have him?" the latter asked. "We'll give you our coon," Sue suggested, by way of compromise. "I am sure he--your uncle--would not go with me," Miss Dunmore suggested. Socky seemed now to think that the time had come for authoritative information. He broke away and called to his new uncle. The maiden rose quickly, blushing with surprise. She turned away as Robert Master came in sight, and stood for half a moment looking down. Then, stooping, she picked a wild flower and timidly offered it. The act was full of childish simplicity. It spoke for her as her tongue could not. Knowledge acquired since she saw him last had possibly increased her shyness. "She wants you," said the boy, with vast innocence, while he looked up at the young man. "I wish I could believe it were true," said Master, as he came nearer by a step to the daughter of the woodland. She turned with a look of fear and said, "I must go," as she ran to the trail, followed by Roc. A little distance away she turned, looking back at the young man. Something in her eyes told of a soul beneath them lovelier than its nobly fashioned house. Moreover, they proclaimed the secret which she would fain have kept. "Shall we shake hands?" he asked. She took a step towards him and stopped. "No," she answered. "I must see you again," said Master, with passionate eagerness, fearing that she was about to leave. She looked down but made no answer. The children put their arms about her knees as if to detain her. "You will not forget to come Thursday?" he added. "The beautiful lady" stood looking at him, her left hand upon her chin, her arms bare to the elbows. A smile, an almost imperceptible nod, and the eloquence of her eyes were the only answer she gave him, but they were enough. "Will you not speak to me?" the young man urged, as he came nearer. She stood looking, curiously, until he could almost have touched her. Then, gently, she pushed the children away and fled up the trail, her pet following. In a moment she had gone out of sight. She was like the spirit of the woodland--wild, beautiful, silent. XV