Wandering in this aimless humour, I turned up a lane and found myself
following the course of the bright little river. I passed first one
and then another, then a third, several couples out love-making in
the spring evening; and a consequent feeling of loneliness was
beginning to grow upon me, when I came to a dam across the river, and
a mill - a great, gaunt promontory of building, - half on dry ground
and half arched over the stream. The road here drew in its shoulders
and crept through between the landward extremity of the mill and a
little garden enclosure, with a small house and a large signboard
within its privet hedge. I was pleased to fancy this an inn, and
drew little etchings in fancy of a sanded parlour, and three-cornered
spittoons, and a society of parochial gossips seated within over
their churchwardens; but as I drew near, the board displayed its
superscription, and I could read the name of Smethurst, and the
designation of 'Canadian Felt Hat Manufacturers.' There was no more
hope of evening fellowship, and I could only stroll on by the river-
side, under the trees. The water was dappled with slanting sunshine,
and dusted all over with a little mist of flying insects.
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