He was fifteen years old, the leader of the Norton boys in all their games, and the originator of most of their schemes for mischief.

But Mark's mischief was never of a kind to injure anybody, and he was as honest as the day is long, as well as loving and loyal to his parents and sister Ruth.
Although a year younger than Mark, Ruth studied the same books that he did, and was a better scholar.

In spite of this she looked up to him in everything, and regarded him with the greatest admiration.

Although quiet and studious, she had crinkly brown hair, and a merry twinkle in her eyes that indicated a ready humor and a thorough appreciation of fun.
It was Monday when Mark and Ruth walked home from the post-office together, reading the paper, for which they had gone every Monday evening since they could remember, and they were to leave home and begin their journey on the following morning.
During the past week Mr.Elmer had resigned his position in the bank, sold the dear little house which had been a home to him and his wife ever since they were married, and in which their children had been born, and with a heavy heart made the preparations for departure.
With the willing aid of kind neighbors Mrs.Elmer had packed what furniture they were to take with them, and it had been sent to Bangor.
Mark and Ruth had not left school until Friday, and had been made young lions of all the week by the other children.

To all of her girl friends Ruth had promised to write every single thing that happened, and Mark had promised so many alligator teeth, and other trophies of the chase, that, if he kept all his promises, there would be a decided advance in the value of Florida curiosities that winter.
As the little house was stripped of all its furniture, except some few things that had been sold with it, they were all to go to Dr.Wing's to sleep that night, and Mrs.Wing had almost felt hurt that they would not take tea with her; but both Mr.and Mrs.Elmer wanted to take this last meal in their own home, and persuaded her to let them have their way.