"All right, Miss Jane, we'll be there in a minute,"
Bart answered in Lucy's stead. Then he bent his
head and said in a low voice:

"Won't you give me half those blossoms?"

"No; it would spoil the bunch."

"Please--"

"No, not a single one. You wouldn't care for
them, anyway."

"Yes, I would." Here he stretched out his hand
and touched the blossoms on her neck.

Lucy ducked her head in merry glee, sprang up,
and with a triumphant curtsy and a "No, you don't,
sir--not this time," joined her sister, followed by
art.

The guests were now separated into big and little
groups. Uncle Ephraim and the judge were hob-
nobbing around the fireplace, listening to Uncle
Ephraim's stories and joining in the laughter which
every now and then filled the room. Captain Nat
was deep in a discussion with Doctor John over some
seafaring matter, and Jane and Mrs. Benson were
discussing a local charity with Pastor Dellenbaugh.