She led me to a point, half a mile from the house, where the stream
rushed noisily over its stony bed and formed numerous deep channels
between the rocks, and one could cross over by jumping from rock to
rock. Yoletta led the way, leaping airily from stone to stone, while I,
anxious to escape a wetting, followed her with caution; but when I was
safe over, and thought our delightful walk was about to begin, she
suddenly started off towards the hill at a swift pace, which quickly
left me far behind. Finding that I could not overtake her, I shouted to
her to wait for me; then she stood still until I was within three or
four yards Of her, when off she fled like the wind once more. At length
she reached the foot of the hill, and sat down there until I joined her.

"For goodness sake, Yoletta, let us behave like rational beings and walk
quietly," I was beginning, when away she went again, dancing up the
mountain-side with a tireless energy that amazed as well as exasperated
me. "Wait for me just once more," I screamed after her; then, half-way
up the side, she stopped and sat down on a stone.

"Now my chance has come," thought I, ready to make up for insufficient
speed and wind by superior cunning, which would make us equal. "I will
go quietly up and catch her napping, and hold her fast by the arm until
the walk is finished. So far it has been nothing but a mad chase."

Slowly I toiled on, and then, when I got near her and was just about to
execute my plan, she started nimbly away, with a merry laugh, and never
paused again until the summit was reached. Thoroughly tired and beaten,
I sat down to rest; but presently looking up I saw her at the top,
standing motionless on a stone, looking like a statue outlined against
the clear blue sky. Once more I got up and pressed on until I reached
her, and then sank down on the grass, overcome with fatigue.