“I shall not stir.  You must make up your mind to go without me.”

Which Rose declared was very disagreeable of her cousin, and she even shed a few tears; but a rock could not have received them with more stony indifference, and they were soon dried.

The huckleberry expedition was agreed upon at dinner, Mr. Landholm being, as he always was when he could, very agreeable.  In the mean time Winthrop took the boat and went out on the bay to catch some fish.

It was near the time for him to be back again, and the whole party were gathered in the keeping-room and in the door-way; Elizabeth and Mrs. Landholm with their respective books and work, the others, children and all, rather on the expecting order and not doing much of any thing; when a quick springy footstep came round the house corner.  Not Winthrop’s, they all knew; his step was slower and more firm; and Winthrop’s features were very little like the round good-humoured handsome face which presented itself at the front door.

“Mr. Herder!” cried the children.  But Rose was first in his way.

“Miss Cadval-lader!” said the gentleman, —­ “I did not expect —­ Mrs. Landholm, how do you do? —­ Miss Elisabet’ I did not look for this pleasure.  Who would have expect’ to see you here!”

“Nobody I suppose,” said Elizabeth.  “Isn’t it pleasant, Mr. Herder?”

There was a great laughing and shaking of hands between them; and then Mr. Herder went again to Mrs. Landholm, and gave the children his cordial greeting.  And was made to know Rufus.

“But where is Wint’rop?” said Mr. Herder, after they had done a great deal of talking in ten minutes.

“Winthrop is gone a fishing.  We expect him home soon.”

“Where is he?  Tell me where he is gone and I will go after him and bring him back.  I know de country.  I did not come to see you, Miss Elisabet’ —­ I have come to see my friend Wint’rop.  And I do not want to stay in de house, never, while it is so pleasant wizout.”

“But we are going in the bay after huckleberries,” said Rose, —­ “won’t you go with us, Mr. Herder?”

“After huckle-berry —­ I do not know what is that —­ yes, I will go wiz you, and I will go find Wint’rop and bring him home to go too.”

“He is out on the bay,” said Elizabeth; “I’ll take you to him in my boat.  Come Mr. Herder, —­ I don’t want you, Rose; I’ll take nobody but Mr. Herder; —­ we’ll go after him.”

She ran for her bonnet, seized her oars, and drew Mr. Herder with her down to the rocks.

It was a soft grey day; pleasant boating at that or at any hour, the sun was so obscured with light clouds.  Elizabeth seated Mr. Herder in the stern of the ‘Merry-go-round,’ and pulled out lightly into the bay; he very much amused with her water-craft.

They presently caught sight of the other boat, moored a little distance out from the land, behind a point.

“There he is!” —­ said Mr. Herder.  “But what is he doing?  He is not fishing.  Row your boat soft, Miss Elisabet’ —­ hush! —­ do not speak wiz your —­ what is it you call? —­ We will catch him —­ we have the wind —­ unless he be like a wild duck —­”