.

"No, it is something even better than that. I have a letter to read to
you." As she spoke, Rosalind tossed a handful of leaves at Maurice.

"That's right, wake the professor up," cried Jack, following her example.

"Or bury him," said Belle, joining the onslaught.

Maurice, who had been gazing rather absently into the distance, was
aroused to defend himself, and the battle resolved itself into a
hand-to-hand combat between the two boys.

Maurice's crutch had been discarded, and his knee was almost as strong as
ever, although rough sports, such as foot-ball, were still denied him. He
had recently arrived at the dignity of long trousers, being tall for his
age, and Jack had immediately nicknamed him "the professor."

"Now, boys, that is enough," Rosalind said, with decision; "Maurice is
waked up, I think."

"Am I awake, or not?" Maurice demanded of the struggling Jack, as he held
him down and sat upon him.

"Mercy, yes!" Jack cried, freeing himself with a mighty effort. "But you
must smile; I can't have you looking so melancholy. _Smile!_"

In spite of himself Maurice obeyed the command.

"That's right; now sit down and behave," Jack added, laughing.

Rosalind took out her letter. "Listen," she said:--

"MY DEAR ROSALIND: I am coming back to Friendship in a
few days, and I want to ask if the Arden Foresters will admit a
new member to their circle? I am greatly interested in what I
have heard of it. I have been travelling in the Forest for a
good many years, with just an occasional lapse into the desert,
but I should like the right to wear an oak leaf and have my name
in the Arden Foresters' book, on the page with the magician's.

"Hoping that this is not asking too much, I am

"Yours affectionately,

"CHARLES W. HOLLINGSWORTH."

"Isn't that dear of him?"

"Does he mean it really?" asked Maurice.

"What is the matter with you, Maurice? Of course he does," cried Belle.
"He is grand! The detective," and she laughed at the recollection.

"Rosalind is going home before long, and I didn't know whether we would
keep it up," Maurice said.

"But I shall come back again next summer, and,--oh, I hope we aren't going
to give it up!" Rosalind looked anxiously at her companions.

"Never!" cried Belle.

"No indeed," said Jack. "I am an Arden Forester forever."

"A monkey forever," growled Maurice.

"That is