I simply COULD N'T go alone . '' CHAPTER XXIII . A MISSIONARY HEROINE Accordingly , that afternoon we bearded the lion in his den . The road we took was a beautiful one , for we went `` cross lots , '' and we enjoyed it , in spite of the fact that we did not expect the interview with Mr. Campbell to be a very pleasant one . To be sure , he had been quite civil on the occasion of our last call upon him , but the Story Girl had been with us then and had beguiled him into good-humour and generosity by the magic of her voice and personality . We had no such ally now , and Mr. Campbell was known to be virulently opposed to missions in any shape or form . `` I do n't know whether it would have been any better if I could have put on my good clothes , '' said Cecily , with a rueful glance at her print dress , which , though neat and clean , was undeniably faded and RATHER short and tight . `` The Story Girl said it would , and I wanted to , but mother would n't let me . She said it was all nonsense , and Mr. Campbell would never notice what I had on . '' `` It 's my opinion that Mr. Campbell notices a good deal more than you 'd think for , '' I said sagely . `` Well , I wish our call was over , '' sighed Cecily . `` I ca n't tell you how I dread it . '' `` Now , see here , Sis , '' I said cheerfully , `` let 's not think about it till we get there . It 'll only spoil our walk and do no good . Let 's just forget it and enjoy ourselves . '' `` I 'll try , '' agreed Cecily , `` but it 's ever so much easier to preach than to practise . '' Our way lay first over a hill top , gallantly plumed with golden rod , where cloud shadows drifted over us like a gypsying crew . Carlisle , in all its ripely tinted length and breadth , lay below us , basking in the August sunshine , that spilled over the brim of the valley to the far-off Markdale Harbour , cupped in its harvest-golden hills . Then came a little valley overgrown with the pale purple bloom of thistles and elusively haunted with their perfume . You say that thistles have no perfume ?
Go you XXXXX a brook hollow where they grow some late summer twilight at dewfall ; and on the still air that rises suddenly to meet you will come a waft of faint , aromatic fragrance , wondrously sweet and evasive , the distillation of that despised thistle bloom .
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