play."

Adele glanced at him quickly, showing plainly that she thought he
alluded to her; but the boy's smile and nod toward Bee were
unmistakable.

"How funny that you should call Bee that?" she exclaimed.

"That is what she does," explained Percival. "Gee! I saw her catch one,
one day, and the jump she made with the net was a corker. Remember,
Butterfly--Beefly, I mean? It was the first day that we became friends,
though I had watched for a chance to speak for a long time. She is the
nicest girl I know."

Beatrice's eyes misted suddenly. How loyal he was! He acknowledged
Adele's beauty, but it made no difference in his liking for herself.
Doctor Raymond was slightly astonished, but he merely smiled at the
boy's enthusiasm, then settled himself to listen politely as Percival,
without more ado, began to play. His interest was aroused, however, by
the first notes, and soon he was leaning forward eagerly.

Adele fidgetted as she saw how rapt everyone became, and that no one was
paying the slightest attention to her. It was a new experience to have
any one else be the center of attraction while she was about.

"That is wonderful playing, my lad," exclaimed the naturalist, as
Percival finished. "Wonderful!"

"It was certainly very fine," agreed Adele. "I should like to kiss you
for it, Master Percival."

"No, you don't," ejaculated Percival. "I am not going to be mauled
around by a silly girl."

Adele's eyes flashed; then she recovered herself.

"Of course, if you do not choose, I will not," she said, retiring
gracefully from her defeat. "I merely wished to show how much I
appreciated your playing."

"I don't care much for such appreciation," remarked the boy scornfully.
"I get enough of it in the cities. Beatrice isn't a bit like you."

"No?" Adele's lip curled ever so slightly. "Bee is so sensible."

"Yes; she is," cried the lad, glaring at the other spoiled child
fiercely. "I'd rather play to her than to a dozen like you. She knows
how to appreciate music. Her eyes are full of tears now, and she
scarcely breathed all the time I played, but she doesn't want to kiss
me. Phew! it's silly!"

"Percival," interposed his mother quickly, "wouldn't you like to show
Beatrice and her cousin your new pony?"

"Gee! I had forgotten it," cried the boy, restored to good humor
instantly. "Come on, Beefly! You may come, too," he added to Adele.

For the merest second Adele hesitated. Then, as she saw that both Bee
and