Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. About half-past eight on the morning of the day set for the postponed picnic, Henry knocked at Widow Brand's door. He had by no means forgotten Madeline's consent to allow him to carry her basket, although two weeks had intervened. She came to the door herself. He had never seen her in anything that set off her dark eyes and olive complexion more richly than the simple picnic dress of white, trimmed with a little crimson braid about the neck and sleeves, which she wore to-day. It was gathered up at the bottom for wandering in the woods, just enough to show the little boots. She looked surprised at seeing him, and exclaimed— " You haven't come to tell me that the picnic is put off again, or Laura's sick V " The picnic is all right, and Laura too. I've come to carry your basket for you." " Why, you 're really very kind," said she, as if she thought him slightly officious. " Don't you remember you told me I might do so ?" he said, getting a little red under her cool inspection. " When did I ?" " Two weeks ago, that evening poor George spoke in meeting." "Oh !" she answered, smiling, "so long ago as that ? What a terrible memory you have ! Come in just a moment, please; I 'm nearly ready." Whether she merely took his word for it, or whether she had remembered her promise perfectly well all the time, andonly wanted to make him ask twice for the favour, lest he should feel too presumptuous, I don't pretend to know. Mrs. Brand set a chair for him with much cordiality. She was a gentle, mild-mannered little lady, such a contrast in style and character to Madeline that there was a certain amusing fitness in the latter's habit of calling her " My baby." " You have a very pleasant day for your picnic, Mr. Burr," said she. " Yes, we are very...