When he left her at length, and she ran indoors to Ruth, she was another creature from the pale, lifeless girl who had watched the rain-clouds in the morning.
Alvar, too, went home well pleased with his morning, and ready to make himself agreeable, and as he came through the larch wood into the park, he suddenly encountered the twins.
Nettie was standing with her back to a tree, a very shabby-looking book under her arm. She was scarlet, and almost sobbing with indignation. Bob was opposite to her, evidently having got the upper hand in their dispute. He was talking in a downright decisive voice, and ended with,—
“And so I tell you, I won’t have it.”
“I don’t care.”
“If you do it again, I’ll tell Cherry.”
“Well, tell him, then! I’ll tell him myself. He would do just the same, I know he would.”
“Then why do you get up in the morning and go out—?”
Here Bob caught sight of Alvar and stopped short.
“What is the matter with you two? Why do you dispute?” said Alvar, good-naturedly.