walk."

"It is a very fine afternoon," said he, turning and beginning
to walk along slowly with her.

"Is it?"

"Haven't you found out that it is?"

"No."

"Where have you been, not to know it?"

"Hum --" said Elizabeth, -- "if you mean where my _mind_ has
been, that is one question; as for my bodily self, I have been
on the Castle Green."

"You have lost your walk," said he. "Don't you feel inclined
to turn about with me and try to pick up what you came out
for?"

"Better there than at home," thought Elizabeth, and she turned
about accordingly.

"People come out for a variety of things," she remarked
however.

"That is true," said Winthrop smiling. "I am afraid I was
hasty in presuming I could help you to find your object. I was
thinking only of mine."

"I don't know but you could, as well as anybody," said
Elizabeth. "If you could give me your mother's secret for not
minding disagreeable things."

"I am afraid I cannot say she does not mind them," he
answered.

"What then? -- I thought you said so."

"I do not remember what I said. I might have said that she
does not struggle with them -- those at least which cannot be
removed by struggling."

"Not struggle with them?" said Elizabeth. "Sit down quietly
with them!"

"Yes," he said gravely. "Not at first, but at last."

"I don't believe in it," said Elizabeth. "That is, I don't
believe in it as a general thing. It may be possible for her.
I am sure it never could be for me."

Winthrop was silent, and they walked so for the space of half
a block.

"Would she say that it is possible for everybody?" inquired
Elizabeth then.

"I believe she would say that it is not temperament, nor
circumstance, nor stoical philosophy."

"What then?"

"A drop of some pacifying oil out of a heaven-wrought
chalice."

"I don't think figures are the easiest mode of getting at
things, Mr. Landholm. You don't make this clear."

He smiled a little, as he pushed open the little wicket gate
of the Green, and without saying anything more they sauntered
in, along the broad gravel walk sweeping round the enclosure;
slowly, till they had passed the fortifications and stood
looking upon the bay over towards Blue Point. The sun was
almost on the low ruddied horizon; a stirring north breeze
came down from the up country, roughening the bay, and the
sunbeams leapt across from the opposite western shore giving a
touch of light to every wave. The air was very fine; th