"Anyway, they've got one good backer in you, Amy dear," said Betty fondly.
"You've no idea how fond all the boys are of you. I declare, sometimes I'm
almost jealous."

"You," cried Amy incredulously, looking at the flushed face and shining
eyes. "You'll never need to be jealous of anybody in your life Betty
Nelson--and especially of me," she added modestly.

Betty laughed and hugged her again.

"Girls, it's getting late," she said suddenly, with another of her swift
changes of subject. "I guess perhaps it's time we were starting back. Oh,
I forgot," she added, in consternation, "I, or rather, Amy and I, promised
Mrs. Sanderson we'd gather some flowers for her, and now we've got to do
it, even if it is late--"

"Of course we have," agreed Mollie, rising with alacrity. "It wouldn't do
at all to disappoint her."

"It must have been a pretty lonely day for her," said Amy thoughtfully, as
she snapped the lid of a basket shut. "I wish she had come with us."

"Well, we're pretty much in the same boat as she is--or will be soon,"
mused Mollie, as the girls scattered to make good Betty's promise.

"How so?" queried Amy.

"Why," said Mollie, "she's already lost her boy and now we're about to
lose ours."