fishing-book, as it looked. 'They are mere memoranda, you see. I walk so
much and come unexpectedly on such pretty nooks and studies, I just try
to make a note of them, but it is really more writing than sketching; my
sister says it is a cipher which nobody but myself understands. However,
I'll try and explain just two--because you really ought to go and see the
places. Oh, no; not that,' he laughed, as accidentally the page blew over,
'that's the Cat and Fiddle, a curious little pot-house, where they gave me
some very good ale one day.'

Milly at this exhibited some uneasy tokens of being about to speak, but not
knowing what might be coming, I hastened to observe on the spirited little
sketches to which he meant to draw my attention.

'I want to show you only the places within easy reach--a short ride or
drive.'

So he proceeded to turn over two or three, in addition to the two he had
at first proposed, and then another; then a little sketch just tinted, and
really quite a charming little gem, of Cousin Monica's pretty gabled old
house; and every subject had its little criticism, or its narrative, or
adventure.

As he was about returning this little sketch-book to his pocket, still
chatting to me, he suddenly recollected poor Milly, who was looking rather
lowering; but she brightened a good deal as he presented it to her, with a
little speech which she palpably misunderstood, for she made one of her odd
courtesies, and was about, I thought, to put it into her large pocket, and
accept it as a present.

'Look at the drawings, Milly, and then return it,' I whispered.