as if, after all, that was the main thing.

Somehow, we, too, felt that it was. We felt that if the Story
Girl did not approve of us it made little difference who else did
or did not.

"I wonder if the Story Girl is pretty," said Felix aloud.

"No, she isn't," said Dan instantly, from across the room. "But
you'll think she is while she's talking to you. Everybody does.
It's only when you go away from her that you find out she isn't a
bit pretty after all."

The girls' door shut with a bang. Silence fell over the house.
We drifted into the land of sleep, wondering if the Story Girl
would like us.



CHAPTER II. A QUEEN OF HEARTS

I wakened shortly after sunrise. The pale May sunshine was
showering through the spruces, and a chill, inspiring wind was
tossing the boughs about.

"Felix, wake up," I whispered, shaking him.

"What's the matter?" he murmured reluctantly.

"It's morning. Let's get up and go down and out. I can't wait