Hunch spent a sleepless night, and arose with the determination never to go to Bruce's again. He continued to decide the question all day from different points of view. In the evening, however, a little earlier than he was expected, he called at Jess Bartlett's house. Jess Bartlett was an attractive girl, full of health and spirits. She admired Hunch's bigness and strength, and made such an effort to be agreeable that before they had finished the long walk to Bruce's house, they felt pretty well acquainted. The evening that followed was different from those that Hunch had been spending at Bruce's. There was more gaiety and brightness. Jess knew that she was in a sense on parade, and, as Mamie confided to Hunch, she “kept things stirred up.” They played some games that Jess explained to them, and then Mamie made molasses candy, and an impromptu candy-pull took place in the kitchen. Once Jess slipped Hunch's scarfpin from his tie, and Bruce and Mamie laughed knowingly at Hunch's clumsy efforts to take it away from her. Finally she fled into the corner and held the pin behind her with both hands. He hesitated before her and Bruce called, “Oh, Hunch, you're slow,” whereupon Mamie blushed and laughed, and Jess blushed and tossed her head. So Hunch put both arms around her, but she struggled for some time before he got the pin away from her. Then she dropped into a chair, flushed and excited, her hair--a rich auburn--tumbling about her face; and Mamie whispered to Hunch, “Ain't she pretty, though?” The night was dark, and on the way home Jess slipped her hand through his arm. Now, that they were away from the others, Hunch was embarrassed. “I never knew you were like this,” she said. “How do you mean?” “Why, I don't know. I've always heard that you didn't like girls; that you were--you know--kind of horrid.” “I haven't liked very many girls.” “I'll tell you something, if you won't tell. You won't think it's funny, will you?” “Sure not.” “Well, I used to be afraid of you.” “Ain't you now?” “No--that is, not very much.” “What makes you afraid of me?” “Oh, I don't know.” She danced a few steps before him on the walk. “Come on, don't be so pokey. Can you dance?” “No, not very much.” “Oh, you've got to learn to dance, or I won't like you a bit. I'll tell you, I'll teach you, some of the nights when we don't go over to Marne's. That'll be fun--don't you think?” Hunch nodded, and caught her arm as she whirled by him, and they walked home soberly, talking about Bruce and Mamie and how happy they seemed to be. At the door Hunch said “goodnight,” and started away. She stood on the steps. “Say,” she called softly, as he opened the gate, “you've got the key.” Hunch came back, a little confused, and took her key from his pocket. He tried to unlock the door, and they both laughed when he got the key stuck in the lock. “You're awful clumsy,” she said, and in trying to help him her hand rested for a moment on his.