very proud
of her. He did not understand her just now, it is true, but he was
pleased when people turned round to look at her; and when admiring
glances came in her way, he walked close to her with an air of
protection, and was glad that his sister was better looking than other
fellows'. They all turned their steps in the direction of Victoria
Park. They had just got there when quick footsteps overtook them, and
Jim Hardy came up.

"Hullo," he said, when he approached the little party. "Stop, can't
you? I have been running after you all this time."

David and Harry both stopped, but Alison walked on.

"That's all right," said Jim, nodding to the boys. "You stay back a
bit, won't you, like good fellows? I want to have a talk with your
sister."

Harry felt inclined to demur, for he was fond of Jim, and his own
pleasure always was first with him; but David understood, and gripped
his brother's arm fiercely, holding him back.

"Keep back," he said, in a whisper; "can't you see for yourself that
there's trouble there?"

"Trouble where?" said Harry, opening his eyes.

"You are a muff. Can't you see that something has put Alison out?"

"I can see that she is very disagreeable," said Harry. "I suppose she
is in love, that's what it means. She is in love with Jim Hardy. But
he is going to marry Louisa Clay; everybody says so."

"Shut up," said David. "You are a silly. Hardy thinks no more of
Louisa than he does of you."

"Well, let us make for the pond and leave them alone," said Harry. "I
do believe the ice will bear in a day or two."

The boys rushed off to the right, and Alison and Jim walked down the
broad center path. Alison's heart was beating wildly. The love which
she was trying to slay rose up like a giant in her heart.

"But I won't show it," thought the proud girl to herself. "He shall
never, never think that I fret because he has thrown me over for
another. If, loving me, he could care for Louisa, he is not my sort.
No, I won't fret, no, I won't; I'll show him that I don't care."

"I'm glad I met you," said Jim. Jim was a very proud fellow, too, in
his own way. Alison's queer letter had pierced him to the quick. Not
having the faintest clew to her reason for writing it, he was feeling
justly very angry.

"I didn't come in yesterday," he continued, "when you made it so plain
that you didn't want me; but, all the same, I felt that we must talk
this matter out."

"There's nothin