n
I get to New York--an' that won't be long--I'll stay there, you bet!
I guess New York's good enough for me. There's style there," and she
nodded her head decisively as she spoke.

Miss Loo and Bancroft were among the latest arrivals at the Morrises'.
She stood beside him while he hitched Jack to a post of the fence amidst
a crowd of other horses, and they entered the house together. In
due form she presented the schoolmaster to Mr. and Mrs. Morris, and
smilingly produced three linen tablecloths as her contribution to the
warming. After accepting the present with profuse thanks and unmeasured
praise of it and of the giver, Mrs. Morris conducted the newcomers
across the passage into the best sitting-room, which the young folk had
already appropriated, leaving the second-best room to their elders.

In the small square apartment were some twenty boys and girls, ranging
between sixteen and twenty-two years of age. The boys stood about at
one end of the room, while the girls sat at the other end chattering
and enjoying themselves. Bancroft did not go among those of his own
sex, none of whom he knew, and whom he set down as mere uncouth lads. He
found it more amusing to stand near the girls and talk with them. By so
doing he unconsciously offended the young men.

Presently a tall youth came towards them: "I guess we'd better play
somethin'?" "Forfeits! Mr. Stevens," was a girl's quick reply, and it
was arranged to play forfeits in a queer educational fashion. First
of all Mr. Stevens left the room, presumably to think. When he came in
again he went over to Miss Conklin and asked her to spell "forgive."
After a moment's pause she spelt it correctly. He retired slowly, and
on his return stopped again in front of Miss Conklin with the word
"reconciliation." She withstood the test triumphantly. Annoyed
apparently with the pains she took, Mr. Stevens, on his next entrance,
turned to a pretty, quiet girl named Miss Black, and gave her
"stranger," with a glance at Bancroft, which spread a laugh among the
boys. Miss Black began with "strai," and was not allowed to go on, for
Mr. Stevens at once offered his arm, and led her into the passage.

"What takes place outside?" asked Bancroft confidentially of the girl
sitting nearest to him, who happened to be Miss Jessie Stevens. She
replied with surprise:

"I guess they kiss each other!"

"Ah!--Now I understand," he said to himself, and from that moment
followed the proceedings wit