“I don’t mind calling you lady, little lady; that’s all right, but I can’t go that other hot-house name.” Alison did not expect, and really did not desire acquiescence in this, and assured him she would not exact it. “Shall we go on?” she said. “I think we ought.” “As you say. I’ve nothing to do but follow you.” And they continued their way. “Was that why you came to meet me?” asked Alison after a pause. “Yes, I couldn’t wait, you see.” “Did you tell Christine?” “That I was coming? Yes.” “No, not that.” “What then?” “What you told John.” “No.” “I’ll have to think about it.” “Laws, yes, please do. I’d feel mightily cut up if you didn’t.” “Neal, why will you always make me laugh?” “I don’t always; sometimes I make you cry.” Alison chose to ignore this. “You’ll have to go on that search for Steve.” “I said I would.” “We will keep it a secret. I think that will be fine. And when you come back with Steve----” “That is where I shall take all the tricks. But suppose I don’t come back with him, what then?” “Oh, I don’t know. I’ll have to tell you that later. I am not going to think that you will come without him.” Neal gave her a quick look, but her innocent expression failed to imply that she meant to give him encouragement by the speech, and he realized that it was as John had said; she was not yet wakened. “If you should come across the Blatant Beast,” she said, turning a mischievous face towards him, “I hope you will not kill him yourself, but will get one of your squires to do it.” “What squire? Old Jackson?” “You are so literal,” said Alison, laughing. “I didn’t mean him. I think I must stipulate that you read some of my favorite books so as to understand me better.” “Can’t you just tell me what those things mean without my reading about them?” asked Neal anxiously. And Alison could but laugh at his anxiety to escape from this evident infliction. CHAPTER XVI A NORTHER The two, man and girl, had traveled along with so little speed that they were still several miles from home. They were now leaving the woods and were about to ascend a hill, after having crossed a small bayou. Along the border of the woodland, which they would soon skirt for a short distance, the prairie opened before them, their trail leading directly across it. In a sky which an hour before had been of purest blue, great gusty clouds were gathering. At the top of the hill a sudden puff of cool wind struck through the sultriness of the air. Before they had reached the prairie a second cold blast made Alison shiver. “We’re going to get a norther,” said Neal. “We’d better be traveling, little lady, or you will feel it. You are rather thinly dressed.” “It was warm when I started,” said Alison with another shiver.