event. It grew cold towards
night, and that sharpened the young folks' appetites. The sap ceased
running before sunset, so they trooped down from the camp, the little
old ladies riding in their phaeton behind Ginger. Walky Dexter was going
to drive out to the Hammett place after supper to pick up his load of
young people.

But Walky was late--very late indeed. After supper the majority of the
young folk, both those from Poketown and in the near neighborhood, began
to play forfeit games; so Janice and Nelson Haley slipped away, bidding
the kind old ladies good-night, and set out to walk home.

The distance was under five miles; there was a good path all the way
despite the mud in the driveway, and there was a glorious moon. The wind
had died down and, although the night air was keen, it was a perfect
hour for walking.

CHAPTER XXIII

"DO YOU MEAN THAT?"

"It was right along here--at the bridge, you know--I saw you the first
time, Janice," said the teacher, when they had covered some two miles of
the way. "Do you remember?"

"I didn't suppose _you_ would," laughed Janice, blushing a little. "And
I stared at you because you were the first citified-looking person I had
seen since coming to Poketown."

He laughed. "Did I look as bad as all that? I was going fast, I know,
but I could see that you were a mighty pretty girl."

"Why! That's a story!" exclaimed Janice, seriously, and looking at the
young man in astonishment. "You know that isn't so. I'm _not_ pretty."

"Goodness me! am I not to have my way in _anything_?" demanded Nelson
Haley, in mock anger. "If I think you're pretty I can say so, I hope?"

"No, sir. Such ridiculous statements are forbidden. I shall think your
eyes need treating almost as badly as do poor little Lottie's. Dear me,
whatever are we going to do about that child?"

"If either of us were rich it would be an easy question to answer."

"True enough. I know what _I'd_ do. And I believe you'd be a very
generous young man, indeed--as long as being generous did not entail any
particular work on your part."

"Oh--now--I call that unfair!" he complained. "We can't all be like you,
Janice. I believe you lay awake nights thinking up nice things to do for
folks----"

"There you go again--making fun of me," she said, shaking a gloved
finger at him. "I don't claim to be a bit more unselfish than the next
one. But I'm not lazy."

"Thanks! I suppose I am?"

"There you go--picking one u