pout.

"It's too far, Teddy. It must be twenty miles each way."

"I rode thirty, yesterday."

"I think that is too far for you."

"Oh, please."

"We could take the train back, if Ted should get used up," Hubert
suggested.

"Yes, only it's going to be such lovely moonlight."

"Then take the train over and ride back," Hubert amended. "Truly, papa,
I think Ted could do it. She rides like an Indian."

"I didn't know that Indians had taken to bicycles," Mrs. McAlister said,
with a smile.

"Like a tomboy, then."

"That's not polite," Theodora protested.

"Never mind; it's true. But can't we try it, papa? Aunt Alice is always
asking us to come over to see her, and this is such a splendid chance,
before I go back into school, or it gets too warm. We can ride over,
Friday morning, stay all day, and come back at night. The twilights are
long, at this season, and the moon will be full."

Hubert's persuasion carried the day, and the doctor gave a reluctant
permission. Three days later, the twins set forth on their ride.
Theodora, in her spotless linen suit and with her pretty wheel, was
radiant with anticipations. It was her first all-day trip on her
bicycle, and she felt that it would be a much more enjoyable experience
than her shorter rides, which, for the most part, had been beside
Billy's tricycle. In some mysterious manner known only to boys, Hubert
had learned to ride without being taught, and an occasional spin on a
borrowed wheel was apparently all that was needed to keep him in perfect
training.

The whole family assembled on the piazza to see them start.

"You'd better not ride back," Mrs. McAlister called after them. "If you
are at all tired, Teddy, you must take the train."

"Yes," Theodora said, with outward obedience and an inward resolve not
to be at all tired.

"If you do ride, when shall you get home?" the doctor asked. "Give
yourselves plenty of time, only set some limit, so that we sha'n't be
anxious."

"Hm," Theodora said thoughtfully. "Supper at five, start at six, two
hours to ride, and an hour for delays. We'll be at home at nine, at the
latest."

"Very well. Say half-past nine, then. We won't worry till then. Take
care of yourselves and have a good time." And the doctor flourished his
napkin in farewell, and then went back to his breakfast.

"Dear old Daddy!" Theodora said, while she turned in her saddle to look
back, and then waved a good-by to Billy on his piazza. "He didn't wa