paring over her shoulder.

"It's an M," shouted Phil. "Mebbe for Martin Landis. Jiminy Christmas,
he's a pretty nice fellow. If you can hook him----"

"M stands for Mertzheimer," said Lyman proudly. "I guess it means me,
Amanda, so you better begin to mind me now when we play at recess at
school and spell on my side in the spelling matches."

"Huh," she retorted ungraciously, "Lyman Mertzheimer, you ain't the
only M in Lancaster County!"

"No," he replied arrogantly, "but I guess that poor Mart Landis don't
count. He's always tending one of his mom's babies--some nice beau he'd
make! If he ever goes courting he'll have to take along one of the
little Landis kids, I bet."

Phil laughed, but Amanda flushed in anger. "I think that's just grand
of Martin to help his mom like that," she defended. "Anyhow, since she
has no big girls to help her."

"He washes dishes. I saw him last week with an apron on," said Lyman,
contempt in his voice.

"Wouldn't you do that for your mom if she was poor and had a lot of
children and no one to help her?" asked the girl.

"Not me! I wouldn't wash dishes for no one! Men aren't made for that."

"Then _I_ don't think much of _you_, Lyman Mertzheimer!"