"Tell her to go to the devil!"

Ferdie considered this proposition and rejected it with regret.

"She wouldn't do it. But you go on with your reading. I'll tell her
you're disgruntled. She'll understand. This will make the fourth day that
you haven't taken your accustomed stroll by the schoolhouse. We're all
interested, Frankie."

"You banshee!" Francis withdrew the finger that had been keeping his
place in the book. "I suppose I'll have to go back with you." He sat up,
rather red as to his face.

"I bet she turned you down hard, old boy," murmured Mr. Sedgwick
sympathetically. "My own life has been very sad. It has been blighted
forever, several times. Is she pretty? I haven't seen her, myself, and
the reports of the men-folks and the young ladies don't tally. Funny
thing, but scientific observation shows that when a girl says another
girl is fine-looking--Hully Gee! And _vice versa_. Eh? What say?"

"Didn't say anything. You probably overheard me thinking. If so, I beg
your pardon."

"I saw a fine old Western gentleman drive by here with old man Selden
yesterday--looked like a Westerner, anyhow; big sombrero, leather face,
and all that. I hope," said Ferdie anxiously, "that it was not this
venerable gentleman who put you on the blink. He was a fine old relic;
but he looked rather patriarchal for the rôle of Lochinvar. Unless, of
course, he has the money."