He did not see Miss Dixon, who was behind him, but she saw Alice and heard what was said. For a minute she paused, and then, with a rather vindictive look on her face, turned back.
"Alice!" called Ruth, "I'm not sure father would want you to go. It is getting near supper time."
"Oh, you tell him I just had to go, Ruth dear!"
Mr. DeVere, with Sandy and Mr. Pertell, had gone on ahead.
Ruth shrugged her shoulders. There was little she could do with Alice, once the younger girl had set her mind on anything. And, really, there was no harm in going fishing with Paul. The favorite spot was not far from the farmhouse, and within view of it.
"It's fine of you to come!" said Paul, as he walked along over the meadow with the laughing, brown-eyed girl. "I'm sure we'll have good luck."
"I'm never very lucky at fishing," said Alice. "But I'll watch you."
"No, you've got to fish, too. I'll cut you a light pole."
"And will you bait my hook—I don't like to do that."
"Surely I will."