Winter's the time I read." Conversation lagged after that, except for desultory remarks, and presently Dale bade the girls good night and left them.

Helen watched his tall form vanish in the gloom under the pines, and after he had disappeared she still stared.
"Nell!" called Bo, shrilly.

"I've called you three times.

I want to go to bed." "Oh! I--I was thinking," rejoined Helen, half embarrassed, half wondering at herself.

"I didn't hear you." "I should smile you didn't," retorted Bo.