people like that? And as to Grandmother, this will give her one of
the finest chances to let herself go that she's had since I set a
curtain on fire with a candle; and when she does that, well, things
fly, I assure you."

"Are you worried about it?"

Joan gave a gesture of the most eloquent impatience. "I have to be,"
she said. "You can't understand it, but I'm treated just as if I
were a little girl in short frocks. It's simply appalling.
Everything I say and do and look is criticized from the point of
view of 1850. Can't you imagine what will be thought of my sneaking
out every afternoon to talk to a dangerous young man who has only
just left Yale and lives among horses?"

That was too much for Martin. His laugh echoed among the trees.

But Joan didn't make it a duet. "It wouldn't be so funny to you if
you stood in my shoes, Martin," she said. "If I had gone to
Grandmother and asked her if I might meet you,--and just think of my
having to do that,--she would have been utterly scandalized. Now,
having done this perfectly dreadful thing without permission, I
shall be hauled up on two charges,--deceit and unbecoming behavior,-
-and I shall be punished."

The boy wheeled around in amazement. "You don't mean that?"

"Of course I mean it. Haven't I told you over and over again that
these two dear but irritating old people look down at me from their
awful pile of years and only see me as a child?"