"Hello! What you trying to do?"

No answer. The Little Doctor refused even to lift her lashes, which
were wet and clung together in little groups of two or three. Chip
also observed that there were suggestive streaks upon her cheeks--and
not a sign of a dimple anywhere. He lifted one leg over the horn of
the saddle to ease his ankle, which still pained him a little after
a ride, and watched her a moment.

"What's the matter, Doctor? Step on a cactus?"

"Oh, no," snapped the Doctor in a tone to take one's head off, "I didn't
step on a cactus--I just walked all over acres and acres of them!"

There was a suspicious gurgle from somewhere. The Little Doctor looked
up.

"Don't hesitate to laugh, Mr. Bennett, if you happen to feel that way!"

Mr. Bennett evidently felt that way. He rocked in the saddle, and
shouted with laughter. The Little Doctor stood this for as much as
a minute.

"Oh, no doubt it's very funny to set me afoot away off from everywhere--"
Her voice quivered and broke from self-pity; her head bent lower over her
shoe.

Chip made haste to stifle his mirth, in fear that she was going to cry.
He couldn't have endured that. He reached for his tobacco and began to