with a laugh. "Nothing doing this time, little brother of mine."

"And you ate all those chocolates?" This in semi-horrified tones.

"We--not I," corrected his sister.

Percy Falconer, after vainly trying to get in place to walk beside Betty,
who frustrated him by keeping Amy close to her, drifted off to find new
sartorial worlds to conquer.

The others walked on, the boys joining in the talk and laughter. Amy
seemed to have recovered her spirits, and the girls made no reference to
the little tragedy which they knew would soon become public property.

"So you are really determined to go off on that walking trip?" asked
Will, who had floated back to join Mollie.

"We certainly are. Why, don't you think we can do it?"

"Perhaps. But I think you'll run at the sight of the first tramp--or cow;
and as for a storm--good night!"

"Thank you--for nothing!" and Mollie's dark eyes had little of fun in
them as they looked into those of Will Ford.

Eventually Will and Frank left them, and the girls continued on until
they reached Mollie's house.

"Come in," she invited. "I know they baked to-day, and we'll have a cup
of tea and some cake. It will refresh us."