So sudden and so unexpected was this bit of advice that Cora almost laughed, but looking into the earnest face before her she was constrained to repress even a smile. "Why, Andy," she cried, "I am not afraid of any one. I don't have to run away." "Well, you better be," he declared, his cheeks reddening to the very tint of his hair. "You better be afraid of Ramsy and Schenk. They're a hot team." "But what have I done?" continued Cora, for the boy's manner demanded attention. "My uncle didn't do anything either when he got out of the state. And if it hadn't been for that he would have been sent up. Fer nothin', too." That there was more wisdom than eloquence in this was plain to Cora, but, even at that, she failed to grasp the whole meaning of Andy's warning. "Will you go to-day?" he almost begged. "Why, Andy?" "Yes, please do go. I would hate to see you git into that--mix-up." "Now, little boy, you must not worry about me. See what a big strong girl I am, and you know what a strong man Jack is." "'Taint a matter of fists," Andy declared, clenching up his brown hands, "but it's them womens' tongues. You don't know what sneaks they are, and if you don't say you will go away to-day, before they git at you, I think I had better tell your brother all about it." "Haven't you told _me_ all about it?" "Not quite," said Andy. "I don't suppose a girl ought--to know everything about--scraps!" CHAPTER XII THE "UNPLANNED" PLANS Cora was always a pretty girl, but in her corn-colored, empire gown, that morning at the breakfast table, even her own brother was forced to express openly his admiration for her. "Whew, Cora!" he exclaimed, "but you do look like a--tea-rose in that wrapper." "Jack, dear, this is not a wrapper, but the very best design in empire," and she smoothed out the fullness that lay about her. "Well, it's all right, anyway," declared Jack. "Makes me think of rose leaves, the way it clings about you." "What a pretty speech, brother. Now, if that had only been saved up for Bess, or Belle or Hazel! By the way, we haven't seen Hazel this summer. I suppose she is studying as hard as ever. What a pity a bright girl like Hazel is not bright enough to save her health by taking the regulation vacation." "Well, with Paul away I suppose Hazel thinks there is nothing left to do but study. I never saw brother and sister more attached," remarked Jack, taking his fruit from the dainty leaves in which, when Cora "kept house," she always insisted that fruit be served.