I protested . I said I was going to take a vacation anyway , and business was not pressing just then . I also hinted that , while I had no doubt of her capacity , she might have found the duties of superintendent rather arduous . `` Not at all , '' she said , with a serenity that made me groan inwardly . `` I like it . Father always said I was a born business manager . You 'll find Ashley 's Mills very quiet , I 'm afraid . It 's a sort of charmed Sleepy Hollow . See , there 's home , '' as we turned a maple-blazoned corner and looked from the crest of one hill across to that of another . `` Home '' was a big , white , green-shuttered house buried amid a riot of autumn colour , with a big grove of dark green spruces at the back . Below them was a glimpse of a dark blue mill pond and beyond it long sweeps of golden-brown meadow land , sloping up till they dimmed in horizon mists of pearl and purple . `` How pretty , '' I exclaimed admiringly . `` Is n't it ? '' said Gussie proudly . `` I love it . '' Her pupils dilated into dark pools , and I rather unwillingly admitted that Miss Ashley was a fine-looking girl . As we drove up Aunt Lucy was standing on the steps of the verandah , over whose white roof trailed a luxuriant creeper , its leaves tinged by October frosts into lovely wine reds and tawny yellows . Gussie sprang out , barely touching my offered hand with her fingertips . `` There 's Mother waiting to pounce on you and hear all the family news , '' she said , `` so go and greet her like a dutiful nephew . '' `` I must take out your horse for you first , '' I said politely .
`` Not XXXXX all , '' said Miss Ashley , taking the reins from my hands in a way not to be disputed .
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