But the manager thinks that we ought to grow mushrooms, and so we do it." As she was talking, the thought came to me that there were some people who might consider this young lady a little forward in her method of entertaining a comparative stranger, but I dismissed this idea.

With such a peculiarly constituted family it was perhaps necessary for her to put herself forward, in regard, at least, to the expression of hospitality.
"One thing I must show you," she said, suddenly, "and that is the orchid-house! Are you fond of orchids ?" "Under certain circumstances," I said, unguardedly, "I could be fond of apple-cores." As soon as I had spoken these words I would have been glad to recall them, but they seemed to make no impression whatever on her.
We walked to the orchid-house, we went through it, and she explained all its beauties, its singularities, and its rarities.

When we came out again, I asked myself: "Is she in the habit of doing all this to chance visitors?
Would she treat a Brown or a Robinson in the way she is treating me ?" I could not answer my question, but if Brown and Robinson had appeared at that moment I should have been glad to knock their heads together.
I did not want to go; I would have been glad to examine every building on the place, but I knew I must depart; and as I was beginning to express my sense of the kindness with which I had been treated, she interrupted by asking me if I expected to come back this way.
"No," said I, "that is not my plan.

I expect to ride on to Waterton, and there I shall stop for a day or two and decide what section of the country I shall explore next." "And to-day ?" she said.

"Where have you planned to spend the night ?" "I have been recommended to stop at a little inn called the 'Holly Sprig,'" I replied.