He offered his hand, clasped hers, lifted his hat, and was gone.

CHAPTER IX.

CATS.

With the departure of the more stirring member of the company, Miss Wych had subsided; and in that state could feel that she was tired.  She sat in the doorway of the mill.  It was after sundown; still, bright, sweet, and fair, as after sundown in June can be.  The sky all aglow still with cooler lights; in the depth of the hollow the morsel of a lake had a dark shining of its own, like a black diamond, or a green jasper, with the light off.  Mrs. Saddler was gone up the hill with Phoebe, to get her share of hospitality.  Mr. Falkirk had supped on the remains of the strawberries and milk, and would have nothing more.  Guardian and ward were alone.  The stillness of Summer air floated down from the tree-tops, and did not stir the lake.

’Wych, how do you like seeking your fortune?  I am curious to be informed?’

’Thank you, sir.  The finding to-day has gone so far beyond my expectations, that I am willing to rest the pursuit till to-morrow.’

’Fortune and you clasp hands rather roughly at first setting out!  But what do you think of the train she has brought with her in these seven days?’

‘What train, sir?’

’I asked you what you thought of it.  Answer straight like a good child.’

‘It’s a wonderful train, if it has made a good child of me,’ she answered, with a half laugh.  ’Do you mean of people, or events, sir?’

‘The events are left behind, child; the people follow.’

‘Will they?’ said Wych Hazel.  ’Dr. Maryland and all?  Mr. Kingsland might stay behind.  Nobody will ever want him.’

‘All the rest have your good leave!’ said Mr. Falkirk, with an expression—­Wych could not tell what sort of an expression, it was so complicated.  ’Do you think it is an easy office I have to fill?’ he went on.

’Maybe not, sir.  I thought you seemed very ready to give it up.  I have felt like stray baggage to-day.’

‘How do you suppose I am to guard you from so many enemies?’

’Ready to send me round the country, with the first knight-errant that starts up?’ said the girl, in an aggrieved voice.  ‘And if I had proposed such a thing!’

‘My dear,’ said Mr. Falkirk, ’you would have been perfectly safe at Dr. Maryland’s.  And much better off than in this old mill.  I am not sure but I ought to have made you go.’

‘What do you mean by “enemies,” just now, Mr. Falkirk?’

‘There’s an old proverb,’ said Mr. Falkirk with a quirl of his lips, ’that “a cat may look at a king.”  And no doubt it is a queen’s liability.  But how am I to guard you from the teeth and the claws?’

’My dear sir, very few cats are dangerous.  I am not much afraid of being scratched.’

’Have you any idea how many of your grimalkins are coming to Chickaree this Summer?’