without receiving any such recompense, or even hinting at it. In this case a good deed was indeed its own suficient reward. The fraternal coolness, moreover, with which I rendered this slight service, went far to promote that feeling of camaraderie, on which footing I saw it was safest to establish our relations, for the present at least.
It may also be remarked, that in a country so densely peopled, and in which every man and woman, almost every child, had an ever-ready vehicle at command, riding on the high-road was much like riding in one of our public parks. Thus the freedom accorded young people, in regard to riding about in each other's company, was completely in accordance with the wise circumspection that had framed the etiquette governing their mutual relations. While enjoying every opportunity for conversation under the most favorable circumstances, they were, at the same time, always under the public eye.
Before we started, it had been arranged, that, instead of proceeding at once to Ialma, Reva should pay her first visit in my company to Semna Diotha, her great-grand-mother. After presenting ourselves there, we would have time to reach the house of Utis, where we should all dine. together. Hulmar undertook to send the necessary warning to the culinary depot, as well as to our friends.
"You can then stay over night with Ialma," he concluded. "There are many things in regard to which you will need to consult Ialma."
