Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati Page B

lot of Dutch and Germans here, and they have
particular ideas about Christmas—"
    Reverend
Witherspoon cleared his throat in a disapproving way, and the judge shrugged as
if to apologize for the less seemly habits of the villagers.
    "The
turkey shoot is a popular event. People take the time," he concluded.
    "You
must have three dozen birds in your coops, Father," said Julian.
    "Why
would you want to go and pay for the privilege of shooting at somebody else's
turkey?"
    "I
wouldn't," affirmed the judge, settling back down into his chair.
"But it is good sport. Go on now, all of you young people, and see how
Paradise amuses itself. Kitty and Richard will show you the way."
    * * *
    They
set out in just a few minutes: Julian, Richard Todd, Katherine, and Elizabeth.
    "Men
come from all over to shoot," Katherine explained to Julian and Elizabeth.
    "Billy
Kirby organizes it."
    "At
substantial profit to himself," added Richard Todd. Katherine overheard
this comment. It struck Elizabeth once again that her indifference toward
Richard Todd was too studied, and too careful, to mean anything but the
opposite of what it seemed to be.
    They
kept up a brisk pace so as to keep the cold from making too much headway, but
still Katherine would talk.
    "I
wonder," she said to Julian, "if you should have brought out your
gun. Should you like to try your hand at the competition?"
    "I'll
leave the shooting to the locals," said Julian shortly. Elizabeth observed
him closely, but saw that he meant to say no more on this matter.
    "Don't
you care for hunting?" asked Katherine.
    "On
the contrary," Julian said with a smile. "But the game which
interests me is a more civilized one."
    Richard
Todd's grimace was lost on Katherine and Julian, but Elizabeth noted it with
dawning realization. She wondered whether Richard's distaste was for her
brother, or for Katherine's flirtation. In either case, she found it difficult
to listen any longer, and so Elizabeth stepped up her pace in hopes of
outstripping the others. Soon enough she had left Julian and Katherine behind,
but to her surprise Elizabeth found Richard Todd was unwilling to be shaken
off.
    "I
think it is hard for young people who put high value on amusement and parties
to live so far out," Richard said with an awkward smile.
    Elizabeth
looked up at him in surprise. Richard Todd was making excuses to her for
Katherine, and she could not fathom why. Unless, of course, he had some tender
feelings for her himself and her behavior distressed him. Elizabeth considered
for a moment.
    "I
suppose that is true," she said. "It is a very small neighborhood,
isn't it, and there cannot be much variety in the entertainment. I find that
less of a burden. At home I was never so interested in the dances as I was in
my uncle's library. But my cousins would not know what to do with themselves
here."
    Richard
nodded. "Young ladies often have expectations which cannot be met by our
little circle of friends."
    "Well,"
said Elizabeth, feeling a little easier toward Richard now. "Young women
have the habit of growing into older ladies, and giving up dancing for
whist."
    "But
some young ladies seem to enjoy dancing more than others," said Richard.
"Did you enjoy the party yesterday evening?"
    "Yes,
it was very pleasant," replied Elizabeth. She wondered if she dared raise
the subject, and then decided that she might.
    "What
did you think of Chingachgook's proposal to my father?"
    Suddenly
the easy feeling between them was gone, and Elizabeth thought that Dr. Todd
would refuse to answer her. He cleared his throat.
    "I
think it will come to nothing."
    "You
fear it will come to nothing," asked Elizabeth, "or you hope it will
come to nothing?"
    "It
is not an easy thing, what the old man asks," said Richard, slowly
searching for words."Peaceful times are precious in this part of the
world, and I would be foolish to wish them gone."
    "Why
should a business transaction such as the one suggested last night mean the end
of peace?" asked