'The young minister has spent a morning with us. He came to make my
acquaintance, shook me warmly by the hand, and--that was the last I
saw of him, for he kept as close to Rhoda's side as circumstances
would permit! The naked eye is all one needs to discern his motives!
Psychological observations, indeed! Child study, forsooth! It was
lovely to see Rhoda's freshness, spontaneity, and unconsciousness, as
she flitted about like a pretty cardinal-bird. Poor young minister,
whose heart is dangling at the strings of her scarlet apron! Lucky
young minister, if his arm ever goes about that slender red-ribboned
waist, and his lips ever touch that glowing cheek! But poor me! what
will the garden be without our crimson rose?'
CHAPTER XIV--MORE LEAVES
'It has been one of the discouraging days. Lisa was wilful; the
twins had a moral relapse; the young minister came again, and, oh,
the interminable length of time he held Rhoda's hand at parting! Is
it not strange that, with the whole universe to choose from, his
predatory eye must fall upon my blooming Rhoda? I wonder whether the
fragrance she will shed upon that one small parsonage will be as
widely disseminated as the sweetness she exhales here, day by day,
among our "little people all in a row"? I am not sure; I hope so; at
any rate, selfishness must not be suffered to eclipse my common-
sense, and the young minister seems a promising, manly fellow.
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