She told Emily
Norcross"--Emily Norcross was the daughter of the owner of the
factory--"and Emily told Thad. Thad and I been trying too. We've got
things fixed now so'st we expect to get a patent. What I want to see is
whether she's got anything that's likely to interfere with us; of course
she hasn't really, but then girls think they can."

Amasa felt desperately that this was too great a problem to suddenly
confront a fellow like him whom every one knew to be stupid. It seemed a
trifle, but Cosy Pringle would want nothing but a good bargain. Still,
there was no other way; disgrace to Viola would mean heart-break to
Lizette.

"Give me the paper," he said, gruffly, and thrusting it into his pocket,
he led the way softly through the corridor to the wood-shed chamber.

Cosy was breathlessly eager over some queer bits of machinery which
Amasa could not understand. He staid but a few minutes, as he had
promised, but he stammered with excitement when he went away.

Amasa spent three miserable days, filling the wood-box so assiduously
that Viola asked him if he thought she was going to bake for the County
Conference, and hoeing the string-beans, until Lizette was tenderly sure
that his back ached, and advised him to go fishing.

But a boy may have troubles of the mind which even fishing cannot cure.

[Illustration: "VIOLA! AMASA! HE SAYS IT MAY BE WORTH A GREAT DEAL OF
MONEY!"]

Lizette came home from her work with a radiant face on the third day.
"Amasa, how came you to let Cosy Pringle go into the workshop?" she
exclaimed. "But I can't scold you, it has turned out so beautifully! I
have been trying a little invention--oh, for a long time! I never
thought it could really succeed!" Lizette looked as fresh and bright as
if all the work and care had been a dream. "Cosy saw it and told Thad
Norcross. It seems he and Thad had been trying to do the same sort of
thing--mere boys' play, of course--and Thad told his father. Mr.
Norcross will help me to get a patent! Viola! Amasa! He says it may be
worth a great deal of money!"

Lizette and Viola were crying for joy; but Amasa could think only of the
horror of Viola's disgrace, for now, of course, Cosy Pringle would tell.

"You won't think anything now of my little triumph," said Viola, when
they had calmed down a little and sat down to supper. "'School-girl
Friendships' is to be published in full in the Bilberry _Beacon_ next
Saturday, with my own name signed it--not Lilla