owned
darkly at the word, "but I don't see any use in doing it now, when we
have had such a nice day--"

With one of her quick changes of mood Judy beamed on him. "Oh, hasn't
it been nice," she said. And then she held out her hand. "Good-bye,"
she smiled.

But as he went down the path she called after him.

"If you meet Tommy Tolliver, tell him I want to see him."

He stopped. "What do you want him for?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.

"I sha'n't tell you."

"You needn't think you can get him to take you to the gipsy camp," said
Launcelot.

"He will take me if I ask him."

"No, he won't."

"Why not?"

"Because I shall tell him beforehand that if he takes you out there I
shall thrash him within an inch of his life."

"What?" gasped Judy.

"I shall do it," said Launcelot, and as he swung down the path, Judy,
looking after the straight, strong figure, knew that his threat was not
an idle one.

And yet, after all, if it had not been for Launcelot, Judy would never
have gone to the camp. She had debated the question and had decided
that the game was not worth the candle. She had approached Tommy
Tolliver, and his numerous excuses convinced her that Launcelot had
been before her. She had hinted her wishes to Anne, only to be met by
that virtuous maiden with "Oh, Judy, I should be afraid--they look so
dark and wild--and besides we ought not to go--" She even suggested a
drive to the camp to the Judge, but he had said: "It is not a place for
you, my dear," as if that settled the question.

Then, too, she had other plans for Saturday, for Launcelot planned to
drive his mother and Judy and Anne to Lake Limpid, and they were to
take an early boat for a little resort where they were to meet some of
Mrs. Bart's friends.

Judy stayed with Anne all night, so as to be as near the Barts as
possible, for there was a drive of five miles, and the boat left at
eight o'clock.

"Do get up, Judy," begged Anne, on Saturday morning, as she stood in
front of her little mirror, her hair combed, her shoes polished, and
her last bow tied.

But Judy dug her rumpled head deeper into the pillow.

"'If you're waking, call me early, call me early, mother, dear,'" she
murmured, having improved her acquaintance with Tennyson during the
week.

"Well, it isn't early," said Anne, sharply. "You will be late, Judy,
and we must catch the boat."

Judy sat up rubbing her eyes. "Oh, it won't hurt Launcelot to wait a
little.