it any more yourself--" Loraine looked toward the idle pole. "I never
fished in my life," she explained. The boy understood with remarkable
quickness.

"You mean you'd like to try it?" he asked, and this time turned round.
It was not at all a bad face on close inspection, Loraine decided. The
veil of sullenness had lifted a little.

[Illustration: "I NEVER FISHED IN MY LIFE," SHE EXPLAINED.]

"Oh, but I just would! Only if I should have an accident and catch
anything, whatever would I do! They--they are always cold and clammy,
aren't they?"

Jane Cotton's Sam laughed outright, and Loraine decided that it was a
very good face.

"I'll 'tend to all you catch," the boy said. He was busily baiting the
hook; now he extended the pole to her.

"Wiggle it--up and down a little, like this," he directed, "and don't
make any more noise than you can help. If you feel a bite, let me know."

"But I don't see how I can feel a bite unless they bite me--"

Again the boy laughed wholesomely. They were getting acquainted. The
fishing began, and for what seemed to her a long time Loraine sat
absolutely still, dangling the pole. Nothing happened for a discouraging
while. Then Loraine whispered: "I feel a bite, but it's on my wrist! If
it's a mosquito I wish you would 'shoo' it off."