"How disgusting! I never heard of any thing so mean," cried Clover,
indignantly. "Why, I wouldn't tell tales about Katy if we quarrelled
ever so much. We never do, though, Katy is so sweet."

"I suppose she is," said Rose, rather doubtfully; "but, do you know,
I'm sort of afraid of her. It's because she's so tall. Tall people
always scare me. And then she looks so grave and grown up! Don't
tell her I said so, though; for I want her to like me."

"Oh, she isn't a bit grave or grown up. She's the funniest girl in
the world. Wait till you know her," replied loyal Clover.

"I'd give any thing if I could walk with you part of this term,"
went on Rose, putting her arm round Clover's waist. "But you see,
unluckily, I'm engaged straight through. All of us old girls are.
I walk with May Mather this week and next, then Esther Dearborn
for a month, then Lilly Page for two weeks, and all the rest of
the time with Mary. I can't think why I promised Lilly. I'm sure
I don't want to go with her. I'd ask Mary to let me off, only I'm
afraid she'd feel bad. I say, suppose we engage now to walk with
each other for the first half of next term!"

"Why, that's not till October!" said Clover

"I know it; but it's nice to be beforehand. Will you?"

"Of course I will; provided that Katy has somebody pleasant to go
with," replied Clover, immensely flattered at being asked by the
popular Rose. Then they ran downstairs, and took their places in
the long procession of girls, who were ranged two and two, ready