Impressed by the futility of further argument of any sort, Chester Humphreys sat looking at Ladybird in a helpless sort of way. "You see," Ladybird went on, and now her voice was soft and gentle, and the expression on her elfish face very sweet and tender--"you see she is so good and lovely you couldn't find anybody better or more beautiful; and she loves to have fun; and she can make gorgeous cake; and she's awful fond of me and Cloppy: and altogether she's the best one in the world for you to marry. Will you?" "I am not sure but I shall," said Chester Humphreys. CHAPTER XVII IN THE APPLE-TREE Chester Humphreys was by no means a fool, nor was he unduly influenced by Ladybird's rhapsodies; but the winsome and beautiful Stella had attracted him very strongly, and were it not for the absurd complications of the case, he would have greatly enjoyed making her further acquaintance; and although he realized that it would perhaps be wiser for him to go away at once, he felt a strong, though vague and undefined hope that he might see the young woman again before his departure. At breakfast next day, then, when he announced his intention of leaving that morning, and his hostesses hospitably begged him to stay until afternoon, he willingly accepted. "Let's go for a walk," said Ladybird, as they rose from the table; and the young man assented cordially, for this strange child had a peculiar fascination for him, and he was glad of a further opportunity to study her. Ladybird chattered gaily as they walked through the gardens and orchards, and showed Mr. Humphreys all of her favorite haunts, and the trees which she liked best to climb. She led him through all the orchards of Primrose Place, and as they left the last one, they found themselves at the little brook, and sat down on the bank. "I'm very glad," said Ladybird, hugging her knees up under her chin, "that you have decided to do what I want you to do; but it seems to me you needn't have been so long making up your mind." "Long!" cried Chester Humphreys, in astonishment. "What do you mean? And besides, I haven't made up my mind!" "Oh," exclaimed Ladybird, "don't begin to wobble again! Why, there's only one thing _for_ you to do! The greatest, beautifulest thing any man can have a chance to do is to rescue a fair lady from distress; and there's plenty of distress; and here you are, and there's the fair lady." "Where?" asked Humphreys, looking around. "Never you mind," said Ladybird, significantly. "But I'll just tell you this while I think of it: there's one thing you didn't do that you ought to have done." "What's that?" asked Humphreys, lazily. He was absently twisting a stem of timothy-grass around his finger and thinking about Stella. "You didn't bring me any candy. Now I would have preferred a man for Stella who knew enough to bring candy to _me_."