“All right, Mr. Rawlins,” said Ned. “But I’ll have to hustle to get a house to keep, in two years! Couldn’t old Fire Spirit give me a little more time?”
“He might extend it, in case of good behaviour. What, Celia Ferris is next? Here you are, Celia:
“Though you are a pretty creature,
You are doomed to be a Teacher,
For a year or two. And then,
You will wed the best of men.
H’m, seems to me Ned and Celia will step off at about the same time!”
This caused great hilarity, for Ned’s admiration for the pretty Celia was not altogether a secret. Celia blushed, but did not look at all offended.
“Huh!” said Joe Collins, “no fun teasing those two! They like it!”
“I don’t!” cried Celia, blushing, and then they all laughed harder.