Some day you'll realize that I like you." "_Honest ?_" "Cross my heart." The boy laughed in frank delight, his brown cheeks colored, his eyes sparkled.

"Gosh!" said he.

"I--like _you!_" For some time thereafter he remained red and silent, but he kept one big hand in the pocket where lay the gold cigarette case.

There was a wordless song in Buddy Briskow's heart, for--he had made a friend.

And such a friend! The Briskow children possessed each other's fullest confidence, hence Ozark took the first occasion to show his gift to Allegheny, and to tell her in breathless excitement all about that wonderful afternoon.
"He said he'd a mind to lick me, an' I bet he could 'a' done it, too," the boy concluded.
"Lick you?
Hunh!" "Oh, he's hard-boiled! That's why I like him.