"But some one else ought to interfere," cried Alexia, with a little
pout, provoked at his indifference; "that's just the way she does in
school all the time. Oh! I'm vexed at her, I can tell you. She's so
silly--dear me, it's our turn again,"

By the next interim she had forgotten all about Polly and whether she
was having a nice time or the stupidest one imaginable, for Joel, who
held dancing in great contempt, sauntered up.

"Aren't you glad now that you didn't find out about the secret?" cried
Alexia radiantly. "Oh! you are such a nuisance, Joey," she added
frankly.

"Phooh!" exclaimed Joel, "it wasn't worth finding out, that old secret.
But it's as good as girls ever get up," he finished with a supercilious
air.

"It was a perfectly splendid play!" cried Alexia, "and much too good for
a lot of boys. Goodness, Joey, I wouldn't celebrate if you four were
coming home from school to our house. I'd have the jollification the
night before you went back."

"I wouldn't go home if 'twas to your house," declared Joel with equal
candor. "I'd run off to sea, first."

"Come, come, you two, stop sparring," cried Jasper, holding out his
hand; "its our turn again, Alexia. Joel, take yourself off."

Alexia flashing Joel a bright, making-up smile, dashed off into the
figure.