28 MY TEN-ROD FARM; 



looking at it. Them flower fellows is mighty sharp some- 

 times." 



All the time I walked rapidly on towards the depot ; 

 but Mr. McTernan quickened his pace, and kept by my 

 side. 



Oh dear, he is, perhaps, very kind, but I do wish he 

 would go away. But he would not, and after what he had 

 said I had not the heart to be so rude as to ask him to 

 leave me. 



As we entered the depot, a great crowd of people came 

 out of a newly arrived train, filling the whole building 

 and streaming for the doors. 



If this man would only go away. Here come plenty of 

 my neighbors from the Centre. What will they think of 

 me in the company of this man? If I only had my veil. 

 I must give him the slip somehow. But it was of no 

 use. He gravely escorted me to our train, and stood near 

 the door for me to enter. I think I must have blushed 

 scarlet, for it did seem as if everybody in our village had 

 chosen to come to town on that particular train. Quite 

 vexed, I entered the car and took a seat in a dark corner, 

 .entirely ignoring my companion. He did not seem to 

 notice it, but took a seat not far off, and, opening a paper, 

 began to read. As for me, I was in a perfect rage at 

 the whole affair. Will the cars never start? Shall I 

 never get home, away from this hateful place ? I declare 

 I'll never sell another flower. 1 11 starve first. After a 



