learn his
lessons. He is almost too good. And another worst of it is, nobody
can help loving that little imp of a Carruth boy, mischief and all. I
believe the scamp knows it and takes advantage of it."

It is quite possible that Arnold Carruth did profit unworthily by his
beauty and engagingness, albeit without calculation. He was so young,
it was monstrous to believe him capable of calculation, of deliberate
trading upon his assets of birth and beauty and fascination. However,
Johnny Trumbull, who was wide awake and a year older, was alive to the
situation. He told Arnold Carruth, and Arnold Carruth only, about Robin
Hood and his great scheme.

"You can help," said this wise Johnny; "you can be in it, because nobody
thinks you can be in anything, on account of your wearing curls."

Arnold Carruth flushed and gave an angry tug at one golden curl which
the wind blew over a shoulder. The two boys were in a secluded corner
of Madame's lawn, behind a clump of Japanese cedars, during an
intermission.

"I can't help it because I wear curls," declared Arnold with angry
shame.

"Who said you could? No need of getting mad."

"Mamma and Aunt Flora and grandmamma won't let me have these old curls
cut off," said Arnold. "You needn't think I want to have curls like a
girl, Johnny Trumbull."

"Who said you did? And I know you don't like to wear those short
stockings, either."

"Like to!" Arnold gave a spiteful kick, first of one half-bared, dimpled
leg, then of the other.

"First thing you know I'll steal mamma's or Aunt Flora's stockings and
throw these in the furnace-I will. Do you s'pose a feller wants to wear
these baby things? I guess not. Women are awful queer, Johnny Trumbull.
My mamma and my aunt Flora are awful nice, but they are queer about some
things."

"Most women are queer," agreed Johnny, "but my aunt Janet isn't as queer
as some. Rather guess if she saw me with curls like a little girl she'd
cut 'em off herself."

"Wish she was my aunt," said Arnold Carruth with a sigh. "A feller needs
a woman like that till he's grown up. Do you s'pose she'd cut off my
curls if I was to go to your house, Johnny?"

"I'm afraid she wouldn't think it was right unless your mother said she
might. She has to be real careful about doing right, because my uncle
Jonathan used to preach, you know."

Arnold Carruth grinned savagely, as if he endured pain. "Well, I s'pose
I'll have to stand the curls and little baby stockings