stunner and a hummer."

"It's real jolly to have a girl around," Nat remarked to Tavia, who had
the front seat beside him, "and mother is so fond of girls--I have
always worn my hair long to please her."

"Quite a protection in summer, isn't it?" asked Tavia, noticing how the
sunburn stopped where the hair began, and that otherwise the young man
was much tanned.

"Yes, some. But a fellow can't expect to be a peachblow at Camp Hard
Tack."

"It must be a great sport to camp," ventured Tavia.

"The greatest ever! I would like to go out on a ranch but mother says
'no, little boy, you must stay home,' so home I stay."

Dorothy and Ned were evidently enjoying themselves as well as those at
front, for, it seemed to Tavia that Dorothy's laugh had not rung out so
jolly in many weeks--so much had happened lately to dampen mirthful
spirits.

"Just fancy," said Tavia turning back to Ned, "I was sent along to keep
Dorothy lively, she was actually threatened with nervous prostration,
and think, how lively I did keep her? Came nearing firing a train."

"Oh, anything for a change," politely answered Ned. "One cannot tell
just what sort of tonic is best, I am sure she looks first rate."