"`Oh Nature!' he said, `you have found your lost children! We
shall obey your neglected laws! we shall hearken to your divine
whispers I we shall bring you back from your ignominious exile, and
place you on your ancestral throne!'
"`Let us do it!' was the general cry.
"A sudden enthusiasm fired us, and we grasped each other's hands in
the hearty impulse of the moment. My own private intention to make
a summer trip to the White Mountains had been relinquished the
moment I heard Eunice give in her adhesion. I may as well confess,
at once, that I was desperately in love, and afraid to speak to
her.
"By the time Mrs. Sheldrake brought in the apples and water we
were discussing the plan as a settled thing. Hollins had an
engagement to deliver Temperance lectures in Ohio during the
summer, but decided to postpone his departure until August, so that
he might, at least, spend two months with us. Faith Levis couldn't
go--at which, I think, we were all secretly glad. Some three or
four others were in the same case, and the company was finally
arranged to consist of the Shelldrakes, Hollins, Mallory, Eunice,
Miss Ringtop, and myself.
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