“Not if I understand her as I think I do,” nodded Dick.
“Wasn’t it the greatest fortune that Chester and I succeeded in inducing father to let us come on with him? We planned to surprise you in New Haven, but when we met Casper Steele, and he found we knew you so well, he made arrangements for this surprise party.”
“A surprise it was,” laughed Dick. “The greatest surprise and the most delightful one of my life. Why, I really thought I must be dreaming when we stopped at the door and I saw you there on the steps. I wish you could have seen yourself beneath the light of those Japanese lanterns, June. I used to think you pretty, but I declare when I saw you to-night you looked a thousand times——”
“Now stop—please stop!” she protested, quickly placing a soft palm over his lips. “Don’t try to flatter me like that, Dick.”
“The truth may never be called flattery. I had the queerest feeling as I stared at you. I don’t wonder Sparkfair said I was asleep.”
“But you weren’t, were you?”
“I don’t know,” admitted Dick. “I’m afraid I was. I’m almost afraid I’m still slumbering.”
“Then you’d better wake up,” laughed the girl.
“I will!” he suddenly exclaimed, and, screened by the palms, he kissed her.
She caught her breath with a little gasp.