“Oh, I misunderstood you.  You said twenty miles was too much.”

“I meant for girls.”

“Oh, then you carry the cane for dogs.”

“No, indeed.  I’m not afraid of dogs.”

“He doesn’t know she’s ‘spoofing’ him—­I believe that is the proper English word; isn’t it?” whispered Grace, who was with her brother.

“Correct, Sis.”

“Whatever did you want to bring him along for?”

“Couldn’t help it.  He fastened to me when I came out of school, and I couldn’t shake him off.  Is Bet mad?”

“You know she doesn’t like him.”

“Well, tell her it wasn’t my fault, when you get the chance; will you?  I don’t want to get on her bad books.”

“I’ll tell her.”

“I say, Sis, lend me a quarter; won’t you?  I’m broke.”

“You had the same allowance that I did.”

“I know, but I need just that much to get a catching glove.  Go on—­be a sport.”

“I—­”

“Don’t say you haven’t got it.  Weren’t you going to treat the crowd when I brought Percy along and let you sting him?”

“Such horrid slang!”

“Go on, be a sport!  Lend me the quarter!”

Grace produced it from her purse.  There were several other coins in it.

“Say, you’re loaded with wealth!  Where’d you get it?”

“I just didn’t spend it.”

“Go on!  And you with a two-pound box of chocolates—­or what’s left of ’em—­under your bed!”

“Will Ford, did you dare go snooping in my room?” and she grasped his arm, apprehensively.

“I couldn’t help seeing ’em.  I was looking for my ball, that rolled in there.”

“Did you—­did you eat them all?” she faltered.

“Only a few.  There’s Allen Washburn, I want to speak to him,” and Will ran off uncermoniously, to join a tall, good-looking young man who was on the other side of the street.  The latter, seeing the girls, raised his hat, but his glance rested longest on Betty, who, it might have been observed, blushed slightly under the scrutiny.

“Allen always has a book with him,” murmured Amy.

“Yes, he’s studying law, you know,” spoke Betty.

Some other girls joined the four then, and Percy, seeing that he was rather ignored, had the sense to leave, making an elaborate departure, after what he considered the correct English style.

“Thank goodness!” murmured Mollie.  “Puppies are all right, but I like better-trained ones!” and her dark eyes flashed.

“Billy!” exclaimed Grace, reproachfully, shaking an accusing finger at her friend.

“Well, you don’t like him any more than—­than Betty does!”

“Hush!” warned the Little Captain.  “He’ll hear you.”

“I don’t care if he does,” was the retort.

Gradually the main part of the town had been left as the girls walked slowly on.  Houses were fewer now, and the trees not so large, nor well cared for.  The sun seemed to increase in warmth as it approached the west, wherein was a bank of fluffy clouds that soon would be turned into masses of golden, purple and olive.