“There, there! We’ll spare him–––” laughed Howard. “I see I was wrong again, only, Leslie, little princess, there’s one thing you must own is true, you’re very young yet and you may change–––”
“Now, I like that!” cried Leslie. “You don’t even think I have the stability to be true to you. Well, if I’m as weak-looking as that you better go and find someone else–––”
But he stopped her words with his face against her 351 lips, and his arms about her, and at last she nestled against his shoulder and was at peace.
Chiming out above the notes of the wood-robin and the thrush there came the faint and distant notes of the quarter hour striking on the college library. It was Leslie who heard it. Howard was still too far upon the heights to think of earthly duties yet awhile.
“Howard! Isn’t this your Class Day? And haven’t you a part in the exercises? Why aren’t you there?”
He turned with startled eyes, and rising color.
“I couldn’t stay, Leslie. I was too miserable! I had to come after you. You promised to be with me to-day, you know–––”
“But your Class Poem, Howard! Quick! It must be almost time to read it–––!”
He took out his watch.
“Great Scott! I didn’t know the time had gone like that!”