Henry was
changing with his new responsibility, as she admitted to herself
with a sort of dismay; he had the airs of an independent farmer,
and she remained only a farmer's daughter,--without any
acknowledged rights, until she should acquire them all, at a single
blow, by marriage.
Nevertheless, he must have felt what was in her mind; for, as he
cut out the quarter of a dried apple pie, he said carelessly:
"I must go down to the Lion, this afternoon. There's a fresh drove
of Maryland cattle just come."
"Oh Harry!" cried Betty, in real distress.
"I know," he answered; "but as Miss Bartram is going to stay two
weeks, she'll keep. She's not like a drove, that's here one day,
and away the next. Besides, it is precious little good I shall
have of her society, until you two have used up all your secrets
and small talk. I know how it is with girls. Leonard will drive
over to meet the train."
"Won't I do on a pinch?" Leonard asked.
"Oh, to be sure," said Betty, a little embarrassed, "only Alice--
Miss Bartram--might expect Harry, because her brother came for me
when I went up.
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