't expect us to spoil
you. The sport for to-morrow is tomato pickles, and the man who skipped
to-day left because Aunt Sally wanted him to help scald and peel the
tomats. Your job is cut out for you."

"All right," he replied humbly. "I'll do anything you say but plough or
cut wood. My enchanted youth on the farm was filled with those delights,
and before I go back to that a swift Marathon runner must trip me."

He was aware presently that one by one the girls were slipping away; he
saw them through the windows settling themselves at the round table of
the living-room, where Mrs. Owen was reading a newspaper. Not more than
a quarter of an hour had passed when he and Sylvia found themselves
alone.

"I haven't scarlet fever or anything," he remarked, noting the flight
with satisfaction.

"I suppose we might go inside, too," suggested Sylvia obtusely.

"Oh, I came up for the fresh air! Most of my nights lately have been
spent in a hot office with not even a June bug for company. How are the
neighbors?"

"The Bassetts? Oh, Mrs. Bassett is not at all well; Marian is at home
now; Blackford is tutoring and getting ready to take the Annapolis
examinations the first chance he gets."

"I saw Allen to-day," he remarked carelessly.

She said nothing. He moved his chair nearer.

"He told me things that scared me to death--among others that he and
Marian are engaged."

"Yes, Marian told me that."

"Ah! She really takes it seriously, does she?"

"Yes, she takes it seriously; why shouldn't she?"

"It's the first time she ever took anything seriously; that's all."

"Please don't speak of her like that, Dan. You know she and I are
friends, and I thought you and she were friends too. She always speaks
of you in the very kindest way. Your leaving Mr. Bassett didn't make any
difference with her. And you are the greatest of Blackford's heroes next
to Nelson and Farragut."

Dan laughed.

"So it isn't Napoleon, and Grant and Custer any more? I'm glad he's
settled down to something."

"He's a fine boy with a lot of the right stuff in him. We've been having
some lessons together."

"Tutoring Blackford? You'll have to explain the psychological processes
that brought that about."

"Oh, they're simple enough. He hadn't done well in school last year;
Mrs. Bassett was troubled about it. I take him for a couple of hours
every morning. Mrs. Bassett engaged me, and Mr. Bassett approved of the
plan. Allen probably told you all t