In truth, the supper down at the old Hammett farmhouse, after the work of the day was over, was the principal event. It grew cold towards night, and that sharpened the young folks' appetites. The sap ceased running before sunset, so they trooped down from the camp, the little old ladies riding in their phaeton behind Ginger. Walky Dexter was going to drive out to the Hammett place after supper to pick up his load of young people.
But Walky was late—very late indeed. After supper the majority of the young folk, both those from Poketown and in the near neighborhood, began to play forfeit games; so Janice and Nelson Haley slipped away, bidding the kind old ladies good-night, and set out to walk home.
The distance was under five miles; there was a good path all the way despite the mud in the driveway, and there was a glorious moon. The wind had died down and, although the night air was keen, it was a perfect hour for walking.
CHAPTER XXIII
"DO YOU MEAN THAT?"
"It was right along here—at the bridge, you know—I saw you the first time, Janice," said the teacher, when they had covered some two miles of the way. "Do you remember?"
"I didn't suppose you would," laughed Janice, blushing a little.
"And I stared at you because you were the first citified-looking person
I had seen since coming to Poketown."
He laughed. "Did I look as bad as all that? I was going fast, I know, but I could see that you were a mighty pretty girl."
"Why! That's a story!" exclaimed Janice, seriously, and looking at the young man in astonishment. "You know that isn't so. I'm not pretty."
"Goodness me! am I not to have my way in anything?" demanded Nelson
Haley, in mock anger. "If I think you're pretty I can say so, I hope?"