e fence and alighted on a dandelion almost at her feet; meadow
larks were whistling their limpid notes in the adjoining fields, while
from the trees about the house beneath them came the songs of many
birds, blending with the babble of the brook which ran not far away.

"Oh, how beautiful, how strangely beautiful it all is!"

"Yes, when you come to think of it, it is real pretty," he replied.
"It's a pity we get so used to such things that we don't notice 'em
much. I should feel miserable enough, though, if I couldn't live in
just such a place. I shouldn't wonder if I was a good deal like that
robin yonder. I like to be free and enjoy the spring weather, but I
suppose neither he nor I think or know how fine it all is."

"Well, both you and the robin seem a part of it," she said, laughing.

"Oh, no, no!" he replied with a guffaw which sent the robin off in
alarm. "I aint beautiful and never was."

She joined his laugh, but said with a positive little nod, "I'm right,
though. The robin isn't a pretty bird, yet everybody likes him."

"Except in cherry time. Then he has an appetite equal to mine. But
everybody don't like me. In fact, I think I'm generally disliked in
this town."

"If you went among them more they wouldn't dislike you."

"I don't want to go among them."

"They know it, and that's the reason they dislike you."

"Would you like to go out to tea-drinkings, and all that?"

"No, indeed; and I don't suppose I'd be received," she added sadly.

"So much the worse for them, then, blast 'em!" said Holcroft wrathfully.

"Oh no! I don't feel that way and you shouldn't. When they can,
people ought to be sociable and kind."

"Of course I'd do any of my neighbors, except Lemuel Weeks, a good turn
if it came in my way, but the less I have to do with them the better
I'm satisfied."

"I'm rested enough to go on now," said Alida quietly.

They were not long in reaching the edge of the woodland, from which
there was an extended prospect. For some little time they looked at
the wide landscape in silence. Alida gave to it only partial attention
for her mind was very busy with thoughts suggested by her husband's
alienation from his neighbors. It would make it easier for her, but the
troubled query would arise, "Is it right or best for him? His marrying
me will separate him still more."

Holcroft's face grew sad rather than troubled as he looked at the old
meeting house and not at the landscape. He wa