So do robins and thrushes." 

Her face suddenly had an absent look as if she did not 
hear him. It was turned from the light, or the rich color 
that was mantling it would have puzzled him, and might 
have inspired . With -some abruptness and yet hesi 
tation, such as is often noted when a delicate subject is 
broached, she said, "Mr. Gregory, I wordnetdesire I could make 
 between you and Mr. Hunting. I think you are 
not friendly." 

As she looked to see the effect of her remark the light 
shone on his face, and she was again deeply pained to see 
how instantly it darkened. For a moment he did not reply; 
then in a cold, constrained voice, he said, "He is a friend 
of the family, I suppose." 

1 ' Yes, ' ' she replied, eagerly. 

"I too would like to be regarded as a friend, and espe 
cially to you; so I ask it as a great personal  that you 
will not mention that gentleman's name again during the 
brief remnant of my visit." 

"Do you mean any imputation against him?" she asked, 
hotly. 

Policy whispered, "Don't offend her. Hunting may be 
&. near relation;" so