said Louis, "what time it is?"

"Half-past eight," answered Paula, lifting astonished eyes to her cousin's
face.

"Well, if it's half-past eight why do you look at me like that?"

"Because I don't understand."

"What do you mean by saying you don't understand? It's all quite simple. If
Teresa is angry, I'll tell her that we left the garden at nine o'clock;
then I'll show her my watch."

"But," cried Paula, quite upset, "that would be a lie!"

"Nonsense, you foolish youngster, that's not a lie. We'll go from here at
the dot of nine, according to my watch, and that's what I'll tell Teresa in
case she asks us. Of course, if she doesn't ask us, we don't have to say
anything. Besides, I do it for you and Lisita, for if you were boys instead
of girls, there would be no reason to return so early. Now, up with you.
Yes, or no."

"Not I," said Paula, with a heightened color. Louis was furious.

"No, you say? Oh," he laughed, "the wall's too high." Paula looked at the
wall. It was certainly high, but he knew very well from past exploits that
the height would not bother her.

"No," she said, "I'm not afraid to jump. Over in Villar, when I had to tend
the goats, many a time I have had to jump from far greater heights than