So the game, punctuated by kisses, went on, until Miss Loo came in for the fourth time, and stopped again before Bancroft, whereupon Seth Stevens pushed through the crowd of young men, and said: “Miss Loo Conklin! You know the rule is to change after three times.” At once she moved in front of the stout youth, Richards, who had come forward to support his friend, and said “liar!” flashing at the same time an angry glance at Stevens. “Lire,” spelt Richards painfully, and the pair withdrew. Bancroft went over to the men's corner; the critical moment had come; he measured his rival with a glance. Stevens was tall, fully six feet in height, and though rather lank, had the bow legs and round shoulders which often go with strength. As he took up his new position, Stevens remarked to a companion, in a contemptuous drawl: “Schoolmasters kin talk an' teach, but kin they fight?” Bancroft took it upon himself to answer, “Sometimes.” “Kin you?” asked Stevens sharply, turning to him. “Well enough.” “We kin try that to-morrow. I'll he in the lot behind Richards' mill at four o'clock.” “I'll be there,” replied the schoolmaster, making his way again towards the group of girls. Nothing further happened until the old folk came in, and the party broke up. Driving homewards with Miss Conklin, Bancroft began: “How can I thank you enough for being so kind to me? You called me out often, almost as often as I called you.” “I did that to rile Seth Stevens.” “And not at all to please me?” “Perhaps a little,” she said, and silence fell upon them. His caution led him to restrain himself. He was disturbed by vague doubts, and felt the importance of a decisive word. Presently Miss Conklin spoke, in a lower voice than usual, but with an accent of coquettish triumph in the question: “So you like me after all? Like me really?” “Do you doubt it?” His accent was reproachful. “But why do you say 'after all'?” “You never kissed me comin' back from church last Sunday, and I showed you the school and everythin'!” “Might I have kissed you then? I was afraid of offending you.” “Offendin' me? Well, I guess not! Every girl expects to be kissed when she goes out with a man.” “Let's make up for it now, Loo. May I call you Loo?” While speaking he slipped his arm round her waist, and kissed her again and again.