Hilary protested. She glanced
enviously at Josie's strap of hooks. "And when school closes, you'll
be through for good, Josie Brice. We shan't finish together, after
all, now."

"Oh, I'm not through yet," Josie assured her. "Father'll be going out
past The Maples Saturday morning, I'll get him to take me along."

Hilary brightened. "Don't forget," she urged, and as she and Pauline
drove on, she added, "I suppose I can stick it out for a week."

"Well, I should think as much. _Will_ you go on, Fanny!" Pauline
slapped the dignified, complacent Fanny with rather more severity than
before. "She's one great mass of laziness," she declared. "Father's
spoiled her a great deal more than he ever has any of us."

It was a three-mile drive from the village to The Maples, through
pleasant winding roads, hardly deserving of a more important title than
lane. Now and then, from the top of a low hill, they caught a glimpse
of the great lake beyond, shining in the afternoon sunlight, a little
ruffled by the light breeze sweeping down to it from the mountains
bordering it on the further side.

Hilary leaned back in the wide shaded gig; she looked tired, and yet
the new touch of color in her cheeks was not altogether due to
weariness. "The ride's done you good," Pauline said.

"I wonder what there'll be for supper," Hilary remarked. "You'll stay,
Paul?"

"If you promise to eat a good one." It was comforting to have Hilary
actually wondering what they would have.

They had reached the broad avenue of maples leading from the road up to
the house. It was a long, low, weather-stained house, breathing an
unmistakable air of generous and warm-hearted hospitality. Pauline
never came to it, without a sense of pity for the kindly elderly
couple, who were so fond of young folks, and who had none of their own.

Mrs. Boyd had seen them coming, and she came out to meet them, as they
turned into the dooryard. And an old dog, sunning himself on the
doorstep, rose with a slow wag of welcome.

"Mother's sent you something she was sure you would like to have,"
Pauline said. "Please, will you take in a visitor for a few days?" she
added, laying a hand on Hilary's.

"You've brought Hilary out to stop?" Mrs. Boyd cried delightedly. "Now
I call that mighty good of your mother. You come right 'long in, both
of you: you're sure you can't stop, too, Pauline?"

"Only to supper, thank you."

Mrs. Boyd had the big valise out from u