Will looked at her as if he wanted to say something but did not quite dare
in public. However, she intercepted the look and with a little panicky
feeling turned her eyes away.

"I imagine," said Grace softly, looking up at Will, "that mother wasn't
glad to see you or anything."

"Not at all," returned Will, a soft light in his eyes as he remembered the
greeting between him and his parents. "I was a little afraid," he added
soberly, "that mother and dad wouldn't like my skipping off like this the
day after I'd got home. But they seemed to understand all right."

"Gee, but this is great," said Frank, stretching contentedly and looking
about the group with happy eyes. "I wonder how many times we've seen this
all in our dreams, fellows. Only we couldn't have imagined it half as
perfect as this."

"It sure is like old times," agreed Roy, adding with a smile as he turned
to their chaperon, who had been quietly enjoying herself: "We even have
Mrs. Irving with us. Gee, it's just like that summer at Pine Island! All
the old crowd together--"

"Except Allen," put in Will, frowning a little. "Gosh, it didn't seem
right at all to leave the old fellow behind. You wouldn't know him," he
added, his face flushing enthusiastically, "I've never seen a fellow
change the way Allen has--for the better."

"Was there so much room for improvement?" asked Betty demurely, and they
looked at her laughingly.