h an august
personage as myself has no time to waste in conversation with a little
girl."

Elizabeth did not falter. "I did not wish Min to hear what I have to say.
She looks up to you as the literary light at Exeter, and I see no reason
to undeceive her. I've known these little facts I'm about to mention since
last holidays; but I've told no one. I would never have brought up the
subject for discussion, even with you, if you had not been so bitter
against Nora. It seems so perfectly ridiculous for you to criticise her
for cheating once in examination when you've kept up the same system for
months."

"I don't know what you mean!"

"You will soon if you do not now. As I have already said, I would have
kept this to myself had you not been insulting to me ever since I came in
this morning. I won't be patronized by anyone that I have no confidence
in. Every one at Exeter praises your fine essays. I used to, but I don't
any more."

"What is the matter with you this morning, Elizabeth? I insulting to you!
The idea was farthest from my thoughts. I'm nervous. I suppose that
accounts for my speaking so you misunderstood me. I'm really working very
hard. I'm anxious to make a creditable passing mark, and then I have Min
to coach. You know she does not grasp lessons so quickly as you and some
of the brighter ones."

But the open flattery did not lead Elizabeth away from the subject. She
had grown years wiser in the six months spent at Exeter. Her knowledge had
cost her much of her girlish confidence.

"I--" she began.

Landis, determined to ignore unpleasant subjects, interrupted with, "Have
you ever been out to the Adams' farm? I suppose you haven't, since this is
your first spring at Exeter. There's a big woods near the house. It is
filled with arbutus. I suppose it is beginning to leaf now. Min and I go
out every spring to spend a day and night. We come home laden with
arbutus. We're going again a week from this coming Saturday. I wish you
and Mary Wilson would go along. We get a livery rig and drive out. Can't
you go with us?"

"No, I--"

"It shall not cost you a cent. Min and I will pay the livery bill."

"Oh, I think I could manage to pay my share," dryly. "It was not that
which made me refuse to accept. I feel in this as you do about Nora O'Day.
I wish to tell you about what I learned last holidays." She talked
hurriedly, allowing Landis no opportunity to interrupt. "Nora O'Day by
chance mentioned that you cam