"Take care--he'll see us!"--and Caro sharply gathered up her legs under her blue and red striped petticoat. Rose continued to dabble hers in the water, even after Handshut had lifted his head and looked in her direction. "Rose!" cried Caro. "Well, why shouldn't he see my legs? They're unaccountable nice ones." "All the more reason----" "Not at all, Miss Prude." Caro went crimson to the roots of her hair, and began pulling on her stockings. Rose continued to splash her feet in the water, glancing sidelong at Handshut. "He's a nice lad, ain't he?" Caro vouchsafed no reply. "Reuben knows he's a nice lad, and he knows I know he's a nice lad. Hasn't he got a lovely brown skin?" "Hush." But Rose was in a devilish mood. "Look here," she said suddenly, "I'm going to prove the truth of what I told you just now. I'm going to make that boy kiss me." "Indeed you äun't." "Yes I am. I'll go down and talk to him at the bend, and you can creep along and watch us through the hedge; and I'll shut my eyes and maybe part my lips, and he'll kiss me, you see if he don't." "I won't see anything of the kind. I'm ashamed of you." "Nonsense--it's only fun--we'll make a bet on it. If I fail, I'll give you my new white petticoat with the lace edging. And I'll allow myself ten minutes to do it in; that's quite fair, for it usually takes me longer." "And what am I to give you if you succeed?" "Nothing--the kiss'll be enough for me. I've been wanting to know what he was like to kiss for many a long day." "Well, I'm justabout ashamed of you, and I wöan't have anything to do with it." "You can keep out then." "Wot if I tell fäather?" "You wouldn't tell him--you wouldn't be such a sneak. After all, what's a man for, if it isn't to have a bit of fun with? I don't mean anything serious--it's just a joke." "What'll Handshut think it?" "Just a joke too. You're so glum, Caro--you take everything so seriously. There's nothing really serious in a kiss." "Oh, äun't there!" "No--it's just something one enjoys, same as cakes and bull's-eyes. I've kissed dozens of people in my time and meant nothing by it, nor they either. It's because you've no experience of these things that you think such a lot of 'em. They're quite unimportant really, and it's silly to make a fuss." For some obscure reason Caro did not like to see herself credited with the harshness of inexperience. She did her best to assume an air of worldly toleration. "Well, of course if it's only fun.... But fäather wudn't think it that." "No, and I shouldn't like him to. You _are_ funny, Caro. Don't watch me if you're shocked--you can know nothing about it, and then you won't be to blame. But I'm going to have my lark in spite of you." "Put on your stockings first," said Caro sternly.