Little said this soberly, but her face grew a little red.

Ernest's brotherly eyes were observant.

"Oh, Sherm's all right, but Sis, I want that promise."

"I told you I'd promise if you would." Chicken Little drew her lips
together in a firm way.

"But I can't--it would be silly--I might look ridiculous sometime if I
refused. The fellows would guy me if they knew I made such a promise."

"Well, I just told you they'd guy me if I refused to do what the others
do."

"But, Chicken Little, it isn't nice."

"I guess I know that as well as you do. And I don't know that I shall
ever play that kind of games again, but I'm not going to promise if you
won't. Boys don't need to think they can do everything they want to,
just because they're boys. You don't want anybody to kiss me, but I'd
like to know how you are going to kiss a girl without making somebody
else's sister do something that isn't nice, Ernest Morton."

The discussion ended there. Ernest was not very worldly wise himself,
and Chicken Little's reasoning was certainly logical.

They had but little time to talk after that. The cattle began to roam
restlessly once more and they were in the saddle pretty constantly for
the remainder of the afternoon.

Ernest took the trouble to lift her down from Calico when they reached
the stable that evening, an unusual attention. He also gave her a shy
kiss on the cheek and whispered: "I'll promise, Sis. I don't know but
you are about half right."

CHAPTER XIV

OFF TO ANNAPOLIS

"Golly, I sha'n't have any fingers left by the time I finish this
needle case! King's excuse, Katy, you needn't mind. I know I said it,
but if you tried to push a needle through this awful leather and pricked
yourself every other stitch you'd say Golly, too." Chicken Little edged
off as she saw Katy approaching.

Katy was not to be deterred. "You said to pinch you every single time,
Jane Morton, and you've said it twice. Besides, your mother said she
hoped I could cure you." Katy gave Chicken Little's arm two vigorous
pinches to emphasize this statement.

Chicken Little did not take this kindly office in the spirit in which it
was intended. She hated to sew and she had been toiling all morning on a
little bronze leather case to hold needles, buttons, and pins--a parting
gift to Ernest.

"Katy Halford, I told you not to! I think you are real mean to do it
when I'm having such a hard time. I'll thank you not to any more, if I
do say