_doll_!" asked the boy, laughing.
He began to believe his pretty cousin was very fond of joking. "Something
might happen to her before you saw her," he added mischievously.

The pond was a charming sheet of water. Trees lined its edges in summer,
and it was a great place for sport in winter. Faith and Ernest chattered to
their cousin of all the coasting and skating, and their bright faces and
jolly stories only increased the uncomfortable feeling that Gladys had
allowed to slip into her heart.

Her cousins had more fun than she did. It wasn't fair. She had no eyes for
the pretty scenery about her, as Ernest's strong arms sent the boat flying
along. Faith noticed her changed looks and for the first time wondered how
it was going to seem to have Gladys to take care of for--they couldn't tell
how long; but she only tried the harder to bring back the bright look her
cousin had worn at dinner time.

In a few minutes Gladys began to rock the boat from side to side.

"Don't do that, please," said Ernest.

There was a tone of command in his voice, and the spoiled child only rocked
the harder.

"None of that, I tell you, Gladys," he said sharply.

"Please don't," added Faith.

But the error that Gladys had let creep in was enjoying her cousin's
anxiety, and she smiled teasingly as she went on rocking. She had
condescended to come out to the farm, and she would let these country
children see if they could order her about.

Ernest said no more, but he promptly turned the boat around and pulled for
the shore.

"What are you doing?" asked Gladys.

"Going ashore."

"I don't want to," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "I want to go up
there." She pointed to a spot in the distance. "I want to go around that
corner and see what there is there."

"Not to-day," replied Ernest, pulling sturdily.

We won't look into Gladys's heart and see what went on there then, because
it is too unpleasant.

"You see we're the crew," said Faith, a little scared by her cousin's
flashing eyes and crimson cheeks. "We have to do what Ernest says. He knows
a lot about boats, Gladys, and it _is_ dangerous to rock. The pond is real
deep."

"I shall come out in the boat alone, then," declared Gladys.

"Oh, no, you won't," remarked Ernest, smiling. "People that rock boats need
a keeper."

Faith's eyes besought him, "I'll take you out to-morrow if you'll promise
to sit still," he went on; "but if anything happened to the boat, you see I
c