some reason, they were decidedly uncomfortable.

"Everybody's busy," grumbled Brother. "Nobody cares what we do.
Louise and Grace are sewing, and Mother is going to make
strawberry jam. Let's try the rings, Betty."

They were inside the old barn now, and the swinging rings had
always fascinated Sister. But she knew that Jimmie had said they
were not to touch them, and indeed Daddy Morrison had warned the
children not to play in the barn unless some of the older boys
were with them.

"It is really Jimmie's and Ralph's gymnasium," he had explained.
"They know how to use the apparatus, and you don't. When you are
older, Jimmie will teach you and you may play there all you wish."

Sister looked longingly at the rings when Brother suggested them.

"Where's Jimmie?" she asked cautiously.

"Up in his room studying," answered Brother confidently.

Jimmie had been "conditioned" in the June examinations, and now
spent part of every vacation day studying so that he might take
another test before school opened in the fall.

"All right," agreed Sister, assured that Jimmie was not likely to
walk in upon them. "How'll we get the rings untied?"

The rings were fastened up out of the way, tied to a nail on the