The young people of New Salem were sorry to see Ann leave, but seven miles was not too much of a walk, and many good times were planned. The most important merry-making on hand was a May party to be held on the green beyond New Salem. Abe Lincoln and Ann had both promised to be present, and all the young people in the country about, even to "Baby" Green, were looking forward to it with pleasure. It was a merry day. Abe Lincoln romped with the small boys. He climbed saplings and twisted the tender branches so they would grow into canes to be some time carried to Springfield. He swung the girls in grape-vine swings. He held one end of the jumping-rope while Ann Rutledge jumped one hundred, and her combs flew out and her auburn hair went streaming over her shoulders. Then he picked up the combs and tried to twist her hair for her, and the children laughed at his clumsy effort and Ann's funny coiffure. Later they twined a vine with flowers about her, and made her Queen of May, while everybody young and old joined hands in a ring and danced around singing: Kneel to the prettiest, Bow to the wittiest, Kiss her who you love best. "Who is the prettiest?" Abe Lincoln shouted. "Ann Rutledge," the children shouted back. Then they dared him to kiss her, which he did while they clapped their hands. Then the smallest girl, who was "Baby" Green, was told to pick the prettiest man, and she called in her piping voice "Linkin--Linkin," and then screamed with fear lest Ann Rutledge should kiss him and not she herself, and again the children cheered and laughed. After the games and the merriment Ann and Abe Lincoln slipped away. "I want to go to my schoolroom," she said. "Your schoolroom?" he questioned. "Yes, down to the creek where the ferns grow. I have no such place at the farm, and I miss it, for the fern dell is a schoolroom where I learn wonderful lessons from the growing things, and from the little brook which goes on its unknown way to find its mother, the ocean." So they started away across the field toward the creek. They did not notice the cloud above their heads until they felt raindrops on their shoulders. "Let's run," Ann said, "over under the haystacks. It's only a shower." But before they got to the haystack they were both wet. When Abe Lincoln expressed some concern about Ann she only laughed and said, "Am I sugar or salt that I cannot stand a little water?" "But you are so hot now. You ran as fast as I did, Ann." Together they drew close back under the straw and did not mind the minutes lost, for there was always much to talk about. When the shower had passed, they went on around the hill down to the creek. Here they found the little stream considerably swollen. Coming to the place where, on the opposite bank, the ferns were growing, Ann stepped to the water's edge and standing on a stone sang: On Jordan's stormy banks I stand And cast a wistful eye.