Nan especially could not be induced to have anything to say when he was near, and when Carl discovered this he took a mischievous delight in forcing her into his company and watching her try to "squirm" out of it again. Miss Webster took pity on her and in the simplest, most natural way came to her rescue whenever she was being victimized, and by and by it became apparent even to Carl himself that "Ches and Miss Webster hit it off first-rate." But at last Nan's visit really drew to a close, and, in spite of her reluctance at leaving these good friends, she felt satisfied to go home--she did not stop to ask herself why. Town seemed very stuffy and tame after the freedom of the country and the sea, but when Miss Blake asked her if she would like to go away again she replied: "Not alone," and then blushed shamefacedly and tried to change the subject. While she was gone the governess had committed an extravagance. She had bought a new bicycle. "What under the sun did you do that for?" demanded Nan. "Your other was a beauty and as good as new." "But it wasn't new," suggested Miss Blake, lamely. "Pooh!" sniffed Nan. "I wanted this year's model." "Oh, very well! If you can be as particular as all that! How much did they allow you on the other machine? I hope you made a good bargain," said Nan. "I didn't let them have the other machine," hesitated Miss Blake. "It didn't seem worth while. Besides I may want to use it myself sometimes. Won't you come down and see the new one?" Of course Nan did not delay, and she went into raptures over the beautiful wheel, praising it generously as she examined every point with the eye of a connoisseur. "But it seems to me a pretty high frame!" she speculated, standing off and taking it in from a distance. "I wanted a high frame," responded Miss Blake. "Seems to me pretty well up in the air for you, even with the saddle down," insisted Nan, doubtfully. "You try it," suggested the governess. "If it suits you it will certainly be too high for me." "It does suit me," announced Nan, balancing herself by a hand against the wall. "You'd better send it back and get a lower frame." But Miss Blake shook her head. "No, I like this and I'm going to keep it. But of course if it is too high I can't use it, and so--so--I'm afraid you'll have to, Nan. You won't mind, will you? I mean getting your birthday present this way ahead of time? I thought if we waited you'd lose the whole summer." Nan flung herself from the wheel in a rapture of surprise. It seemed too good to be true. She could not believe it. Miss Blake had her thanks more in the girl's radiant delight than in the mere words she spoke, though these were genuine enough and full enough of gratitude.