ll you, you rogue! I'd marry you first and take you with me if it
were possible, and you should study in Paris, too--that is, if you
wished to."

"Wouldn't it be wonderful! But I don't know--I believe I'd rather
write than paint."

"I believe I'd rather have you. They say there are no really great
women artists. It isn't in the woman's nature. They haven't the
strength. Oh, they have the delicacy and all that; it's something else
they lack."

"Humph! It's rather nice to have us lacking in one thing and another,
isn't it? It gives you men something to do to discover and fill in the
lacks."

"I know one little lady who lacks in nothing but years."

Betty looked out of the window and down into the yard. "There is
mother driving in. Let's go down and have cookies and milk. I'm sure
you need cookies and milk."

"I'll need anything you say."

"Very well, then, you'll need patience if ever you marry me."

"I know that well enough. Stop a moment. Kiss me before we go down."
He caught her in his arms, but she slipped away.

"No, I won't. You've had enough kisses. I'll always give you one when
you come, hereafter, and one when you go away, but no more."

"Then I shall come very often." He laughed and leaned upon her instead
of using his stick, as they slowly descended.

Mary Ballard was chilled after her long drive in the rain, and Betty
made her tea. Then, after a pleasant hour of chat and encouragement
from the two sweet women, Peter Junior left them, promising to go to
the picnic and nutting party on Saturday. It would surely be pleasant,
for the sky was already clearing. Yes, truly a glad heart brings
pleasant prognostications.

CHAPTER X

THE NUTTING PARTY

Peter Junior made no attempt the next day to speak further to his
father about his plans. It seemed to him better that he should wait
until his wise mother had talked the matter over with the Elder.
Although he put in most of the day at the studio, painting, he saw
very little of Betty and thought she was avoiding him out of girlish
coquetry, but she was only very busy. Martha was coming home and
everything must be as clean as wax. Martha was such a tidy housekeeper
that she would see the least lack and set to work to remedy it, and
that Betty could not abide. In these days Martha's coming marked a
semimonthly event in the home, for since completing her course at the
high school she had been teaching in the city. Bertrand would return
with her,