"
Having finished our meal, I lighted my pipe and sat down under a tree,
while Walkirk, with his rod, wandered away along the bank of the stream.
After a while he returned, and proposed that we try fishing near the
eastern outlet of the creek, where, as the tide was coming in, we might
find better sport.
"That will be a very good thing for you to do," said I, "but I shall not
fish. I am going to Mrs. Raynor's house."
"Where?" exclaimed Walkirk.
"I am going to speak to Mrs. Raynor," I answered, "whom I have known
only as the Sand Lady, but whom I must now know as Sylvia's mother. I
have determined to act boldly and openly in this matter. I have made
suit to Mrs. Raynor's daughter. I have told other people of the state of
my affections, and I think I should lose no time, having now the
opportunity, in conferring with Mrs. Raynor herself."
Walkirk's face was troubled.
"You do not approve of that?" I asked.
"Since you ask me," he answered, "I must say that I do not think it a
wise thing to do. If I properly understand Miss Raynor's character, her
mother knows that you are here; and if she is willing to have you visit
her, under the circumstances, she will make a sign. In fact, I now think
that she will make some sort of sign, by which you can see how the land
lies.
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