the sun being such an early riser; and though Gertrude
sprang up almost before her eyes were open, a flood of daylight was
pouring in at the window, and a scene met her gaze which banished regret
at having overslept herself, since nothing, she thought, could be more
glorious than that which now lay outspread before her.

Far out to the distant horizon nothing was to be seen but a sea of snowy
clouds, which wholly overshadowed the lower earth and hid it from view.
Vast, solid, and of the most perfect whiteness, they stretched on every
side, forming, as they lay in thick masses, between which not a crevice
was discernible, an unbroken curtain, dividing the heavens from the
earth. The foliage of the oaks, the pines, and the maples, which had
found root in this lofty region, was rich in varied hues, and tame and
fearless birds of various note were singing in the branches. Gertrude
gave one long look, then hastened to dress herself and go out upon the
platform.

She was soon joined by Dr. and Mrs. Jeremy, the former full of life, and
dragging forward his reluctant, sleepy partner, whose countenance
proclaimed how unwillingly she had forgone her morning nap. The doctor
rubbed his hands as they joined Gertrude. "Very fine, this, Gerty! A
touch beyond anything I had calculated upon," Gertrude turned upon him
her beaming eyes, but did not speak.

The doctor stepped to the edge of the flat rock upon which they stood,
placed his hands beneath his coat tails, and indulged in a soliloquy,
made up of short exclamations and interjectional phrases, expressive of
his approbation.

"Why, this looks queer, doesn't it?" said Mrs. Jeremy, rubbing her
eyes, and gazing about her; "but I daresay it would be just so an hour
or two hence. I don't see what the doctor would make me get up so early
for." Then she darted forward, exclaiming, "Dr. Jeremy, for mercy's
sake, don't stand so near the edge of that precipice! Why, are you
crazy, man? You frighten me to death! You'll fall over and break your
neck!"

Finding the doctor deaf to her entreaties, Mrs. Jeremy grew so disturbed
by his dangerous position that, looking most imploringly at Gertrude,
she begged her to get the doctor away, for the poor man was so
venturesome he would surely be killed.

"Suppose we explore that little path at the right of the house,"
suggested Gertrude; "it looks attractive."

"So it does," said Mrs. Jeremy; "beautiful little shady path. Come,
doctor, Gerty and