Down the avenue he rode behind her, but as they turned into a shady lane Lillian beckoned, saying, in the imperious tone habitual to her, "Ride near me.

I wish to talk." Paul obeyed, and amused her with the chat she liked till they reached a hazel copse; here he drew rein, and, leaping down, gathered a handful of ripe nuts for her.
"How nice.

Let us rest a minute here, and while I eat a few, please pull some of those flowers for Mamma.

She likes a wild nosegay better than any I can bring her from the garden." Lillian ate her nuts till Paul came to her with a hatful of late flowers and, standing by her, held the impromptu basket while she made up a bouquet to suit her taste.
"You shall have a posy, too; I like you to wear one in your buttonhole as the ladies' grooms do in the Park," said the child, settling a scarlet poppy in the blue coat.
"Thanks, Miss Lillian, I'll wear your colors with all my heart, especially today, for it is my birthday." And Paul looked up at the blooming little face with unusual softness in his keen blue eyes.
"Is it?
Why, then, you're seventeen; almost a man, aren't you ?" "Yes, thank heaven," muttered the boy, half to himself.
"I wish I was as old.

I shan't be in my teens till autumn.