CHAPTER IV

It was on the following morning that Miss Blake made bold to
request her favor from J. Wallingford Speed. They had succeeded
in isolating themselves upon the vine-shaded gallery at the rear
of the house, and the conversation had been largely of athletics,
but this, judging from the rapt expression of the girl, was a
subject of surpassing interest. Speed, quick to take a cue,
plunged on.

"I would have made the Varsity basket-ball team myself if I
hadn't been so tiny," said Helen. "I have always wanted to be
tall, like Roberta."

"I shouldn't care for that," said the young man. "You know she
was a wonderful player?"

"So I've heard."

"Do you know," mused Helen, "I have never forgotten what you told
me that first day we met. I think it was perfectly lovely of
you."

"What was that?" Now it must be admitted that J. Wallingford
Speed, in his relations with the other sex, frequently found
himself in a position requiring mental gymnastics of a high
order; but, as a rule, his memory was good, and he seldom crossed