"Martin has a constitutional objection to whatever pleases me, and
would find some objection to any plan that gave me pleasure!" Her
tone was light, but there was a bitter twitch to her lips as she
spoke.

"Oh, Cherry!" Alix said, distressed.

"However, I'm not going to talk about Martin!" the younger sister
decreed, gaily. "I'm too utterly and absolutely happy!"

There was a worried little cloud on Alix's forehead, but it
lightened steadily, as the happy morning wore on, and half an hour
later, when she and Cherry were sailing a frog on a shingle, on
the busy little stream that poured down the hill near the cabin,
both were laughing like children again.

It was here that Peter found Cherry. Alix had met him at the
house, given him a scrutinizing look with her quick kiss,
questioned him about his trip, and reported all well with the
house and garden.

"And now come down to the creek," she had said, mischievously.
"The Bateses are here--"

"Not Alice Bates?" he had asked, quickly, and at her apologetic
nod he added disgustedly: "Oh, thunder!"

"Oh, don't--she'll hear you!" said the beaming Alix, warningly.
Peter's eyes, as he crossed the porch, were gloomy and he said