n leaves beneath the bare brown trees.

"I believe it is going to snow," said Jack, turning up his collar.

"If you'll stay we'll take you coasting down the Gilpin hill," Maurice
added.

"I am afraid if I waited it wouldn't snow," Rosalind answered, laughing,
"And now I have something to show you." They had reached the arbor, and
sitting down she opened the box she carried.

"You know we have been wondering what we should do for badges when the
leaves were gone. Just see what the president has sent!" and she displayed
to their delighted gaze five small, enamelled oak leaves.

If Dr. Hollingsworth was sensitive to compliments, his ears must have
burned badly about this time. Belle summed them up by remarking, "I just
believe he is almost the nicest man I ever knew."

They stood together under the oak tree, and Rosalind pinned on the new
badges. "Let's promise to be friends, whatever happens," she said,
"because we know the Forest secret and have had such good times this
summer."

The sun shone out brightly for a moment as the wind swept over the
hilltop, rattling the vines on Patricia's Arbor; under the autumn sky the
winding river sparkled as gayly as when its banks were green; on the
far-away stretch of yellow road the wintry sunshine lay; and under the red
oak they clasped hands and promised to be friends always.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. PAT'S LITTLE GIRL***

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