"I sha'n't be much surprised if you beat me at it one o' these days." Then struck with a sudden unwelcome thought, "I wonder what time it is!" he exclaimed, jumping up from the ground in haste and perturbation.

"Do you s'pose it's noon yet, Jim ?" "Which way's the sun ?" queried the latter, glancing toward the sky; "it ought to be right overhead at noon.

Why, it's down some toward the west! I shouldn't wonder if it's as late as two o'clock." "Two o'clock!" cried Max in dismay, "and I was to be back by noon! Won't I catch it!" and he began gathering up his fish and fishing-tackle in great haste, Jim doing likewise, with the remark that he would be late to dinner and maybe have to go without.
Lulu was giving Max all the assistance in her power, her face full of sympathy.
"Max," she whispered, hurrying along close at his side as they started on their homeward way, "don't let that horrid, cruel, wicked man beat you! I wouldn't.

I'd fight him like anything!" Max shook his head.

"'Twouldn't do any good, Lulu; he's so much bigger and stronger than I am that fighting him would be worse for me than taking the thrashing quietly." "I could never do that!" she said.