David touched his cap gravely in acknowledgment of the introduction. He had never heard his name pronounced as this little girl spoke it, with the soft "a." It sounded very sweet to him. "I'll drive back for you before sundown, Janey," said David, preparing to climb into the wagon. "No," objected Carey, regarding him with apprehension, "I want you to stay and play with me. Tell him to stay, mother." There was a regal carriage to the little head and an imperious note--the note of an only child--in her voice. "Maybe David has other things to do than to play with little girls," said her mother, "but, David, if you can stay, I wish you would." "I should like to stay," replied David earnestly, "but they expect me back, and Old Hundred is needed in the field." "Luke can drive your horse back, and we will see that you and Janey ride home." So Carey, with a hand to each of her new playmates, led them across the driveway to the rolling stretch of shaded lawn. The lady watched David as he submitted to be driven as a horse by the little girls and then constituted himself driver to his little team of ponies as he called them. Later, when they raced to the meadow, she saw him hold Janey back that Carey might win. Presently the lady was joined by her husband. "Where is Carey?" he asked. "She is having great sport with a pretty little girl and a guardian angel of a boy. Here they come!" They were trooping across the lawn, the little girls adorned with blossom wreaths which David had woven for them. "May we go down to the woods--the big woods?" asked Carey. "It's too far for you to walk, dear," remonstrated her mother. "David says he'll draw me in my little cart." "Who is it that was afraid to go into the big woods, and thought it was a forest filled with wild beasts and scary things?" demanded Mr. Winthrop. The earnest eyes fixed on his were not at all abashed. "With him, with David," she said simply, "I would have no afraidments." "Afraidments?" he repeated perplexedly. "I am not sure I understand." "Don't tease, Arthur; it's a very good word," interposed Mrs. Winthrop quickly. "It seems to have a different meaning from fear." "Come up here, David," bade Mr. Winthrop, "and let me see what there is in you to inspire one with no 'afraidments'." The boy came up on the steps, and did not falter under the keen but good-humored gaze. "Do you like to play with little girls, David?" "I like to play with these little girls," admitted David. "And what do you like to do besides that?" "I like to shoot." "Oh, a hunter?" "No; I like to shoot at a mark." "And what else?" "I like to read, and fish, and swim, and--" "Eat ice cream!" finished Janey roguishly, showing her dimples. The man caught her up in his arms. "You are a darling, and I wish my little girl had such rosy cheeks. David, can you show me where there is good fishing?" "Uncle Larimy can show you the best places. He knows where the bass live, and how to coax them to bite."