Annie smiled to herself at his half-concealed annoyance and his wooden gallantry to Susie, but she understood child life well enough to know that the present arrangement would not last very long. And she was right. They had hardly entered the shady lane leading to the trees before a chipmonk, with its shrill note of exclamation at unexpected company, started out from some leaves near and ran for its hole. Away went Aunt Annie's beau after it, and Susie also, quite oblivious of her first possession in that line, joined in the pursuit. There was an excited consultation above the squirrel's retreat, and then Johnny took out his knife and cut a flexible rod with which to investigate the "robber's den." Gregory at once joined Annie, saying, "Since the beau of your choice has deserted you, will you accept of another?" "Yes, till he proves alike inconstant." "I will see to that. A burr shall be my emblem." "Or I do," she added, laughing. "Now the future is beyond my power." "Perhaps it is anyway. Johnny was bent upon being a true knight. You may see something that will be to you what the chipmonk was to him." "And such is your opinion of man's constancy? Miss Walton, you are more of a cynic than I am." "Indeed! Do women dwell in your fancy as fixed stars?" "Fixed stars are all suns, are they not? I know of one with wonderful powers of attraction," said he, with a significant glance. "Does she live in New York?" quietly asked Annie. "You know well she does not. She is a votaress of nature, and, as I said, I shall search in every burr for the hidden clew to her favor." "You had better look for chestnuts, sir." "Chestnuts! Fit food for children and chipmonks. I am in quest of the only manna that ever fell from heaven. Have you read Longfellow's 'Golden Legend,' Miss Walton?" "Yes," she replied, with a slight contraction of the brow as if the suggestion were not pleasing. The children now came running toward them and wished to resume their old places. "No, sir," said Walter, decisively. "You deserted your lady's side and your place is filled; and Susie-- "'Thou fair, false one,' --you renounced me for a chipmonk. My wounded heart has found solace in another." Johnny received this charge against his gallantry with a red face and eyes that began to dilate with anger, while Susie looked at Gregory poutingly and said, "I don't like big beaux. I think chipmonks are ever so much nicer." The laugh that followed broke the force of the storm that was brewing; and Annie, by saying, "See, children, Jeff is climbing the tree on top of the hill; I wonder who will get the first nuts," caused the wind to veer round from the threatening quarter, and away they scampered with grievances all forgotten. "If grown-up children could only forget their troubles as easily!" sighed Gregory. "Miss Walton, you are gifted with admirable tact. Your witchery has cleared up another storm."