"After all, it might have been some loose board, or plank, falling down. The place is nigh tumblin' t' pieces," declared Sandy. "But I'll keep a watch around. I don't want any tramps on this place." "I might use one in a moving picture," said Mr. Pertell, musingly. What he could not use in a moving picture film was small indeed. "I believe that would make a good scene," he went on. "A tramp comes to beg at the farmhouse. He is told that he must saw a lot of wood, or do something like that. Then, let me see--yes, I'll have him eat first, and then refuse to saw the wood. He thinks the lady of the house is home alone. But he makes a mistake, for she proves to be one who has taken physical culture lessons, and she is a match for the tramp. She stands over him until he saws all the wood. "That ought to go. I'll cast Mrs. Maguire for the strenuous lady, and Mr. Sneed can be the tramp. He has a sour enough face. That's what I'll do!" "I can just imagine Mr. Sneed in that role," said Alice to Ruth, with a laugh. "He won't like that a bit!" "I suppose not. Still, we have to do many things in this moving picture business that we don't like." "I like every bit of it!" Alice declared. "I think it's all fun!" "I wish I had your happy way of looking at things!" sighed Ruth. "It is a great help in getting through life." "Why don't you practice it?" Alice asked. "It's easy, once you start. There are so many funny things in this world." "And so many sad ones!" "Bosh!" laughed Alice. "Excuse my slang, sister mine, but you ought to read fewer of those romantic stories, and more joke books. Oh, there goes Paul, and with a fish pole, too. I'm going with him!" "He hasn't asked you!" "What of it? I know he'll be glad to have me. Oh, here comes Laura Dixon after him. I'm going to get there first. Paul! Paul!" Alice called, "can't I go fishing, too?" "Of course!" he cried, his face lighting up with pleasure. "Come along. I've got an extra line and hooks in my pocket, and we can cut a pole along the stream. Come along." He did not see Miss Dixon, who was behind him, but she saw Alice and heard what was said. For a minute she paused, and then, with a rather vindictive look on her face, turned back. "Alice!" called Ruth, "I'm not sure father would want you to go. It is getting near supper time." "Oh, you tell him I just had to go, Ruth dear!" Mr. DeVere, with Sandy and Mr. Pertell, had gone on ahead. Ruth shrugged her shoulders. There was little she could do with Alice, once the younger girl had set her mind on anything. And, really, there was no harm in going fishing with Paul. The favorite spot was not far from the farmhouse, and within view of it. "It's fine of you to come!" said Paul, as he walked along over the meadow with the laughing, brown-eyed girl. "I'm sure we'll have good luck." "I'm never very lucky at fishing," said Alice. "But I'll watch you." "No, you've got to fish, too. I'll cut you a light pole."