near neglecting her this morning. That was a close call."

"Oh, yes," said Bess with a curled lip. "It seems to me
everything Cecilia does is close."

"Bess Robinson!" exclaimed Jack. "Do you want me to hug you? You
have been treating me shamefully for weeks past. Now, own up.
What have I done?"

Jack knew how to restore Bess to good humor, and his success this
time was marked.

"You ridiculous boy!" exclaimed Bess. "You know perfectly well
what I mean."

And Jack did.




CHAPTER XIII

AT THE GROTTO


We have dropped something," said Cora as the party started off
again.

"Yes," replied Gertrude, "I agree with Ray that the boys are
jolly. We miss them already."