THE PARTY. 85
Livingston’s observations. His inquiries.

the whole company of voyagers were soon singing in
chorus, keeping time with the motion of the boat, im a
very joyous manner.

After this the company separated, and rambled for some
time around the gardens, enjoying themselves in various
ways, now seated in bowers, now walking in shady paths,
and now pursuing one another on the little grass plats
which they found here and there about the garden.
Caroline entertained them everywhere with her sprightly
conversation. She was a very beautiful girl, and as she
was dressed very prettily on this occasion, she atiracted
very general attention and regard. Livingston, as well as
all the rest, admired her beauty, her accomplishments,
and. her ready wit.

He noticed all the other girls also, who were of the
party, and without seeming to do so, he watched their
appearance and demeanour, and formed his own opinion
of their dispositions and characters from what he saw.
He did not know the names of any of the boys and girls,
however, except so, far as he learned them by accident,
or was told by Wallace. He took occasion several times,
in the course of the afternoon, to speak to Wallace aside,
in some arbour or walk, whenever he had an opportunity
for a moment’s private conversation, to ask questions
about the various persons who attracted his notice.

For instance, at one time, very soon after they came
into the garden, as the children were looking to see Uncle
Ben water some flower-beds with a little watering engine,
by means of which he was throwing the water all around
him through hose and pipe, as firemen do at a fire, Living-
ston and Wallace were standing together somewhat aside
from the rest, watching the operation. Caroline was ata