Alice had been talking about her adventure until Mrs.Yorke had begun to criticise her rescuer as "a spindling country boy." "He was strong enough to bring me down the mountain a mile in his arms," declared the girl.

"He said it was half a mile, but I am sure it was a mile." Mrs.Yorke was shocked, and charged Alice with being susceptible enough to like all men.
"All those who are strong and good-looking," protested Alice.
Their little difference had now been made up, and Alice, who had been sitting silent, with a look of serious reflection on her face, said: "Mamma, why don't you invite him over to dinner ?" Mrs.Yorke gave an exclamation of surprise.
"Why, Alice, we know nothing about him." But the girl was insistent.
"Why, mamma, I am sure he is a gentleman.

Dr.Balsam said he was one of the best people about here, and his father was a clergyman.

Besides, he is very interesting.

His father was in the war; I believe he was a general." Mrs.Yorke pondered a moment, her pen in the air.