alked, and ate
their marshmallows, not forgetting Curly Q., and were as merry as the
crickets that chirped around them,--as merry, at least, as those insects
are said to be.

When it was really impossible to eat another one, they built up the fire
for the pleasure of watching it, and sang songs and told stories, the
magician, with his elbows on his knees, looking from one to another and
laughing as if he understood all the fun.

The glow of their fire and the sound of their voices could be seen and
heard far up on Red Hill; so Celia Fair told them, emerging suddenly out
of the darkness into the firelight. In her white dress, with something
fleecy about her head and shoulders, she suggested a piece of thistledown.

The children gave her a rapturous welcome and proffered marshmallows; the
magician looked on smiling. Allan had gone in search of firewood. Celia
had been up the hill to visit an old servant who was ill, and returning,
with Bob for guard, had seen the fire and heard the voices.

"At first I thought of gypsies, and then Rosalind's pointed hood suggested
witches, and it was only when I reached the bridge that I recognized you,"
she said; adding, "No, I can't stay. Bob is taking me home."

"Do stay; I'll take you home, Miss Celia," said Jack, as Rosalind bestowed
marshmallows on the grinning Bob.

Celia hesitated, then turned, as if about to dismiss her escort, when
Allan Whittredge stepped into the circle and cast an armful of wood on the
fire. Celia retreated into the shadow. "I must go, dear," she whispered
to Belle's urging.

A chorus of protest followed her as she hurried up the bank. She had
hardly reached the road when she heard her name spoken quietly, and
turning, she faced Allan Whittredge in the moonlight.

There was some hesitation in his manner as he said, "I can understand your
wish to avoid me, and yet I am anxious to have a few moments' talk with
you, now or at any time that may suit you." As he spoke, a sense of the
absurdity of this formality between old playmates swept over him, almost
bringing a smile to his lips.

Celia spoke gently. "I think not. I mean I can imagine no reason for
it--no good it could do."

"But you can't judge of that until you know what I have to say. Something
I did not understand has recently been made clear to me and--it is of that
I wish to speak."

"If it has anything to do with the--the difference between your family and
mine, it is needless--useless. I