rnoon very much--in spite of that excitement."

"Oh, so have I!" and now she cast down her eyes while a faint flush
stole into her cheeks.

"We won't dare say much about that trouble in the theater when we get
back to school," remarked Jennie Mason.

"That's right!" burst out Annie Larkins. "If we did, maybe Miss Garwood
would refuse to let us attend any more performances."

"Is Miss Garwood the head of your school?" questioned Randy.

"Yes. And let me tell you, she is a very particular and precise woman."

"I guess she isn't as precise and particular as one of our professors,"
was Andy's comment.

"Oh! do you mean that teacher they call old Lemon?" cried May Powell.

"Yes."

"We've met him a number of times. What a ridiculous man he is! I don't
understand why Colonel Colby keeps him."

"I saw you look at me when I spoke about that boat race," said Jack to
Ruth Stevenson. "Maybe you like to be out on the water?"

"Oh, I do--very much! You know we have boats at the school, and I often
go out with my friends."

"I like to row myself. Perhaps some day you'd like to go out with me?"
went on the oldest Rover, boldly.

"I'd have to ask permission first," answered the girl, and then dropped
her eyes. Evidently, however, the tentative invitation pleased her.

As was to be expected, the parting between the boys and the girls was a
rather prolonged affair, and it looked as if everybody was highly
pleased with everybody else. But at last Annie Larkins looked at a
wrist watch she wore and gave a little shriek.

"Oh, girls, we must be going! We ought to be at the school this
minute!"

"Then here is where we start the walking act," declared May Powell.
"Good-bye, everybody!" and away she hurried, leaving the others to
trail behind her.

"Don't forget about the row," said Jack in a low tone to Ruth
Stevenson.

"I'll remember--if I get the chance," she returned; and in a moment
more all of the girls were gone and the boys retraced their steps to
the center of the town.

"Pretty nice bunch," was Randy's comment.

"It's funny that Spouter Powell never told us he had such a nice
cousin," came from Fred.

"Hello, Fred's already smitten!" cried Jack, gaily.

"Huh! you needn't talk," retorted the youngest Rover. "How about
yourself? Didn't I catch you trying to make a date with that Ruth
Stevenson?"

"Oh, say, Fred! your ears are too big for your head," retorted Jack,
growing red, while Andy and Randy looked at