ought to settle it with a fight and be friends afterward.... Isn't that
so, Duane?"

Duane seemed doubtful.

"Isn't it so?" she repeated fiercely, stepping so swiftly in front of
him that he jumped back.

"Yes, I guess so," he admitted; and the sudden smile which Geraldine
flashed on him completed his subjection.

Naïda, in her boy's clothes, came out, her hands in her pockets,
strutting a little and occasionally bending far over to catch a view of
herself as best she might.

"All ready!" cried Geraldine; "begin! Look out, Naïda; I'm going to
throw you."

Behind her the two boys touched gloves, then Scott rushed his man.

At the same moment Geraldine seized Naïda.

"We are not to pull hair," she said; "remember! Now, dear, look out for
yourself!"

Of that classic tournament between the clans of Mallett and Seagrave the
chronicles are lacking. Doubtless their ancestors before them joined
joyously in battle, confident that all details of their prowess would be
carefully recorded by the family minstrel.