“He’d better not try it!” panted the boy, his dark eyes flashing. “I am going with Old Joe away into the mountains, and he can never find me. After a while he will get sick of hunting for me, and then he’ll go away. Joe will know when he goes away, and I’ll come back here to you.”
Her face brightened a little.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’ll come back! But do you think it is right?”
“What?”
“Running away.”
“What’s the difference?”
“He is so good, and—and I can’t help—liking him, Dick.”
“That’s the way. Once or twice I’ve almost felt that way, but I won’t let myself. I know what he means to do with me, and I just won’t like him!”
“But perhaps what he means to do would be for your good, Dick. Other boys go to school, and——”
“Some do, and some don’t! Old Joe says those who don’t are better off than those who do.”