"Hello!" returned Johnnie—while Gwendolyn smiled at herself in the pier-glass. Johnnie carried a long willow fishing-pole cut from the stream-side. Reel he had none, nor basket; and he did not own a belted outing-suit of hunter's-green, and high buckled boots. He wore a plaid gingham waist, starched so stiff that its round collar stood up and tickled his ears. His hat was of straw, and somewhat ragged. His brown jeans overalls, riveted and suspendered, reached to bare ankles fully as brown. The overalls were provided with three pockets. Bulging one was his round tin drinking-cup which was full of worms.
"Are there p'liceman in these woods?" inquired Gwendolyn.
"Nope," said Johnnie.
"Are there bears?"
"Nope."
"Are there doctors?"
"Nope. But there's snakes—some."
"Oh, I'm not afraid of snakes. I've got one at home. It's long and black, and it's got a wooden tongue."
"'Fraid to go barefoot?"
"Oh, I wish I could!"