“He didn’t like her,” smiled Polly, “and she had no business to care for him. Probably she didn’t. Oh, how delighted I was that night you told me that you were engaged to him!” “When I ran a race with Miss Sniffen,” added Mrs. Randolph. Polly laughed at the remembrance. “If I could have seen it! You had a good time from then on, didn’t you?” “Nelson would make anybody have a good time,” praised his wife. Her face grew grave. “David is a very attractive young man,” she said. “Yes, he does seem so now,” agreed Polly. “He wasn’t last June.” “Perhaps he has left his disagreeable qualities in the Adirondacks.” “I hope so.” Polly’s eyes went troubled. “Nita,” she accused, “you think I ought to let David come back! You know, there was never any engagement. And he’s been away from me all summer--without a word.” “There can be no obligation about it--if you are sure of your own heart--” she paused. “I am sure,” Polly reiterated, with a flutter of red upon her cheeks. Juanita Randolph watched her as she bent towards her work. “I am thankful,” the girl resumed, “that I refused to make any promise for life. A girl of thirteen is too young to know her own mind, much less her own heart.” “You are right,” replied the other. “A girl of that age rarely knows what love is.” “I didn’t know,” Polly said with emphasis. After a moment Mrs. Randolph spoke again. “I wonder if David is waiting for me to go.” “Probably.” “Don’t you suppose--don’t you think it might be better to have it over with him? Then it would be off your mind.” Polly shook her head. “I don’t dare to let it come now. Maybe I am a coward; but I am afraid he would out-argue me.” “And you think it will be better later?” Polly’s eyes had a sad, far-away look as she gazed at Dolly’s ducks taking a swim down the brook. “It seems as if it would be easier--at home. I must wait. David is a good talker when he sets out to win his point--I am afraid.” “I see,” nodded the other. “Maybe. But you can’t--quite. I could only say that I am going to be a nurse, and that I don’t love him. Then he would accuse me of almost everything--I know David. When I go back--well, maybe I’ll write him a letter.” Juanita laughed. “You won’t be a nurse all your life. You cannot convince me of that.” “Yes, I have decided.” She crocheted hard. “I love it, and after I’m through college I shall take a course of training, specializing on children--I have it all planned.” “I am still an unbeliever,” smiled Mrs. Randolph. Then she pondered the subject in silence, straying far, far from the right path.