"Your parties have been a sort of continuous performance this summer, haven't they?" he persisted, hoping to win her to a more conversational mood.
"And the summer is almost over,—did you ever know such a short vacation?"
"It's been the jolliest one I've ever had. And it is going to mean a lot to me all my life, Blue Bonnet."
They walked on in silence for a few minutes. Then Alec asked—"Do you remember the morning we first spoke of following this stream?"
"Yes,—and do you remember how we wondered what we would talk about on our next jaunt by the Woodford brook?"
He nodded. "I remember everything; that was the first day I told you I wasn't likely to be in Woodford next spring. It was only a day-dream then,—isn't it funny how things have come out?"
"Funny? Alec, you are the queerest boy. You've taken to talking in riddles lately, and I—I reckon I'm pretty slow at guessing riddles. We may as well have it out right now. I've been wanting to have a talk with you."
"Same here," returned Alec. "What's the matter, anyway? You've not been a bit like yourself the last few days."
"Don't you really know, Alec?" Blue Bonnet met his puzzled eyes very soberly.
"I honestly don't, Blue Bonnet."