talking with the Professor he seemed to be saying to himself, 'Whitewood is my blue-book;' and when he was talking with me his whole countenance glowed with an expression which stated that 'Carter is the boy.' What a diplomatist he would make! I like him immensely. He has a charming daughter too; not beautiful exactly, but very charming." [Pg 43] Colburne felt an oppression which would not allow him to discuss the question. At the same time he was not indignant, but only astonished, perhaps also a little pleased, at the tone of indifference with which the other spoke of the young lady. His soul was so occupied with this new train of thought that I doubt whether he heard understandingly the conversation of his interlocutor for the next few minutes. Suddenly it struck him that Carter was entirely sober, in body and brain. "Colonel, wouldn't you like to go on a pic-nic?" he asked abruptly. "Pic-nic?—political thing? Why, yes; think I ought to like it; help along our regiment." "No, no; not political. I'm sorry I gave you such an exalted expectation; now you'll be disappointed. I mean an affair of young ladies, beaux, baskets, paper parcels, sandwiches, cold tongue, biscuits and lemonade." "Lemonade!" said Carter with a grimace. "Could a fellow smoke?" "I take that liberty." "Is Miss Ravenel going?" "Yes." "I accept. How do you go?" "In an omnibus. I will see that you are taken up—say at nine o'clock to-morrow morning." [Pg 44] [Pg 44] CHAPTER IV. THE DRAMATIC PERSONAGES GO ON A PIC-NIC, AND STUDY THE WAYS OF NEW BOSTON.
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