"Rather!" answered the boy, and then, breaking away, rushed with lightning speed to the house. Later in the day Margaret came upon the young people uninterestedly turning over the leaves of story-books, weary of themselves and each other, and not on speaking terms. She had appeared upon the scene at the close of a heated argument, in which Ellice considered Bob had turned traitor by taking up the cudgels on Margaret's behalf. When he left her so hurriedly in the morning, Margaret hoped she had gained ground with him; but she little knew that the interview meant a big victory, and that Bob Medhurst's allegiance was won for all time. Now, as she looked at the two, she ventured: "I have a proposal. What do you say to taking our tea to the woods, and then I'll tell you a story, if you like?" "Oh, yes--yes," exclaimed Ellice, full of animation at once, and forgetful of all her former animosity. "Come along then," said Margaret; "let's get a basket from Betsy." In a few minutes everything was prepared, and the three set off for Wychfield Glade. It was a perfect afternoon, and Margaret's heart felt lighter as they followed the mossy path which led through the forest to the avenue. Bob's manner showed a subtle change: "Please let me carry that for you, Miss Woodford," he said shyly, holding out his hand for the tea-basket. "It's awfully heavy," remarked his small sister, in a loud whisper. He brushed the remark aside with a look which said plainly, "You shut up." Margaret accepted the offer with a smile of thanks as she gave up the burden. "It's very nice to have a gentleman to help one," she said quietly. The boy coloured slightly. After all, he was his father's son, and knew the attitude of a young savage was unworthy of him, and the role not really satisfactory to himself, although he was not aware that one of the commands of God given in His Word is "Be courteous." It was quite good fun hunting for wood and arranging a gipsy fire to boil the kettle. Finding it was too early for tea, Ellice clamoured for the promised story. "A fairy one," she demanded. "Not to-day, dear," was the answer. "Why?" asked the child vexedly. "Because it's Sunday, and we might think of something more useful." "Oh, bother! we don't want a Sunday one. Miss Warner tried to make us read a Bible chapter when she was here. We wouldn't, so she read one out loud, and then asked us questions. We didn't answer, did we, Bob?" "No," replied Bob shortly, but he didn't look at Miss Woodford as he made the admission. "Oh, it _was_ dry," continued Ellice, "and we didn't understand it. You are not going to do anything like that, are you?" and the child's voice sounded a little entreatingly as she put the question.