"Kiss me," repeated Harriet, guessing that she was drawing the attention of the room, and getting excited in her determination to win the victory. "Kiss me, or you go to bed!" "No," said Ralph again. Then he added, now putting his two hands behind him, "I won't ever kiss you, Harriet, because you threat me--that isn't me at all. I wouldn't be a man-like boy if I did things 'cause o' threats." "Well," said Harriet, who was terribly afraid of not scoring the victory in this encounter, and being forced therefore to change her tactics, "kiss me because twice I risked my life for you and because I want your kiss. Do you remember when you went down beneath the soft wave and when you came up again and I caught you and--and--saved you?" "Yes, yes!" said Ralph in a ferment of admiration. "Dear Harriet!" His arms went tightly round her neck. He kissed her twice. "And now I's going to bed," he said. "What in the world do you mean by that, you little silly?" "'Cause you said I was to go to bed if I didn't kiss you. I didn't kiss you 'cause of your threat; I kissed you 'cause you 'minded me of the great thing you had done. But I is going to bed, all the same." "No, you sit up because I order it; now don't be a goose, and don't paw me any more." Harriet stood up, yawning as she did so. Ralph sunk on to the next chair. He felt very despondent, he knew not why. Again he could not help glancing at Robina and wishing that she would not keep on reading. He found himself watching her. What a long time she was before she turned a page. Ralph thought he would count the seconds. He knew the clock, and glanced at it. Five whole minutes passed. Still Robina sat with her head of thick hair bent and without a page being turned. Ralph would have given worlds to say: "Is that a very difficult book, Robina, and can't you read it any quicker than I can read my `Reading without Tears' book?" But somehow or other, Harriet's presence prevented his approaching Robina. The next minute, there came the welcome relief of hearing that supper was served, and all the girls trooped into the dining-room.