n the shade of a
huge hay-stack. The air was full of the hum of fall insects, and
grasshoppers alighted here, there, and everywhere about them. Neal tried
in vain to catch one with his hat. Then he tossed it to one side, and
clasping his hands behind his head, leaned back against the hay with a
heavy sigh.

"'What is the matter?" asked Cynthia. "I should think you had the weight
of the world on your shoulders."

"And so I have. I've a good mind to trot out the whole story to you,
Cynth. I wonder if it would do any good?"

"Of course it would," replied Cynthia, promptly. "There is nothing like
talking a thing over, and, besides, I've wanted dreadfully to know what
has been the matter with you."

"How did you know anything was?"

"I have seen you growing glummer and glummer. You haven't been nearly as
jolly lately. And when you got that letter this morning you looked as if
you would like to punch somebody."

"You do take in a lot! I never supposed anybody would notice. I wonder
if Hessie did?"

"I saw her looking at you."

"I wish she'd look to some purpose, and hand out what I want. She's so
taken up with you Franklins nowadays."

"What do you want?"

"Money, of course."

"Why, Neal, mamma gave you a lot the other day!"

"Oh, that was a mere drop in the bucket. Yes, I really think I'll have
to tell you what a fix I'm in. Perhaps you'll see some way out of it."

"Do," said Cynthia, sympathetically; "I am sure I will."

"Well, it's just this: I owe a lot of money to a fellow that goes to St.
Asaph's, and I had a letter from him this morning asking me to fork out
at once, or he would write to my guardians or speak to the trustees at
the school. It's a nasty thing to do, anyhow. I don't think the fellow
is a gentleman."

"Then why did you ever have anything to do with him?"

"That's just like a girl! I'm sorry I told you."

"Oh, don't say that! Indeed, it only just struck me that people who are
not gentlemen are so horrid. Please go on, Neal, and tell me the rest."

"There's nothing to tell except that I owe him a hundred dollars."

"One hundred dollars! Neal!" To Cynthia this seemed a fortune. "Why, how
did you ever spend it all?"

"Spend it! Easily enough. Suppers once in a while, ginger-pop, candy,
cigarettes."

"I didn't know you smoked."

"Neither I do. I just do it occasionally to show I'm up to it. But it's
no go if you're training, and I'm training most of the time. But you
have to keep