When a man stoops to pick a wild strawberry, he does
not expect to find a melon; and when he wishes to gather a melon,
he's disapp'inted if it proves to be a squash; though squashes be
often brighter to the eye than melons. That's it, and it means
stick to your gifts, and your gifts will stick to you."
The two men had now a little discussion together, touching the
propriety of penetrating any farther into the chest of Hutter, when
Judith re-appeared, divested of her robes, and in her own simple
linen frock again.
"Thank you, Judith," said Deerslayer, taking her kindly by the hand
-"for I know it went a little ag'in the nat'ral cravings of woman,
to lay aside so much finery, as it might be in a lump. But you're
more pleasing to the eye as you stand, you be, than if you had a
crown on your head, and jewels dangling from your hair. The question
now is, whether to lift this covering to see what will be ra'ally
the best bargain we can make for Master Hutter, for we must do as
we think he would be willing to do, did he stand here in our places."
Judith looked very happy. Accustomed as she was to adulation, the
homely homage of Deerslayer had given her more true satisfaction,
than she had ever yet received from the tongue of man.
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