Leigh was bending over her drawing board and did not look up for a long minute. It was her gift to make comfort about her while she followed her own will unflinchingly. The breeze had blown the golden edges of her hair into fluffy ripples about her forehead and the deep blue of August skies was reflected in her blue eyes shaded by their long brown lashes. Thaine sat watching her every motion, as he always did when he was with her. "Well?" Leigh looked up with the query. "And what's to hinder your getting the pretty girl you want if she understands and you are swift enough to cut off the enemy from a flank movement?" "The girl herself," Thaine replied. "Serious! Tragical! Won't you give me that chrome-yellow tube by your elbow there?" Leigh reached for the paint and their hands met. "Say, little Sketcher of Things, will you be missing me when I go to school next month? Or will your art and your ranch take all your thoughts?" "I wish they would, but they won't," Leigh said. "They will help to fill up the time, though." "Leigh, may I bring you home tomorrow night? I'm going away the next day, and I won't see you any more for a long time." "No, you may not," Leigh replied, looking up, and her sunny face framed by her golden brown hair was winsomely pleasing. "Why not, Leigh? Am I too late?" "Too early. You haven't asked Jo and been refused yet. But you are kind to put me on the 'waiting list.'" Thaine was standing beside her now. "I mean it. Has anybody asked you specially--to be your very particular escort?" "Oh, yes. The very nicest of the crowd." Leigh's eyes were shining now. "But I've refused him," she added. "Who was it?" "Thaine Aydelot, and I refused because it was good taste for me to do it. If it's his last day at home--and--oh, I forget what I was going to say." "I wish you wouldn't make a joke of it, anyhow. Tell me why you are so unkind to an old neighbor and lifelong pal," Thaine insisted. But Leigh made no reply. "Leigh!" "Tell me why you insist when by all the rules you are due to snake the prettiest girl in the crowd off the wagon and into your buggy. Why aren't you satisfied to make the other boys all envy you?" Leigh had risen and stood beside the rustic seat, her arm across its high back. "Because it is the last time. Because we've known each other since childhood and have been playmates, chums, companions; because I am going one way and you another, and our paths may widen more and more, and because--oh, Leigh, because I want you." He leaned against the back of the seat and gently put one hand on her arm.