had nervous prostration because I was practicing up in my room. I was
trying to do a fall--and I did it all right."

"How foolish you are, Tavia," said Dorothy slightly frowning, "I would
not think of such nonsense if I were you."

"Yes, it was awfully foolish, for it knocked the ceiling down in the
kitchen, just dusting Johnnie's pompadour. The escape, however, made
mother happy, so that the ceiling did not count."

Dorothy "gave in." She had to laugh and did laugh so heartily she was
obliged to sit down on the grass to enjoy the "tragedy" as Tavia
described the stage fall and the "ceiling drop."

"But the secret?" demanded Tavia, making sure her skirt would not be
stained, before taking her place on the grass beside Dorothy.

"Yes, I do want to tell you," answered Dorothy, "Now listen. You know
Squire Sanders was particularly anxious that you should stand all the
blame for Sarah's accident."

"Particularly anxious? He was dead set on it. Polite language doesn't
fit the case."

"Tavia, you really are too slangy. It may be all right just for fun, in
talking to girls, but some day you will be sorry. It will become a
habit."

"Like Jake Schmid taking the pledge. I saw him yesterday very close to--
a saloon!"