As we left the house by the front door Lottie entered it by the back door, and I caught sight of Sam vaulting over a low part of the board fence which divided his father’s premises from Mrs. Parks’. They had just returned from the grove to which we were going, I in advance, as I knew the way, Tom and Rena behind me, he with his hand on her arm and talking to her in tones I could not understand. At a little distance from them were Reginald and Irene. There was no lagging on his part now. He was trying to keep up with us while Irene was evidently trying to hold him back. The opportunity was favorable for a tête-à-tête and she meant to have it, if possible. Reginald, on the contrary, did not seem disposed for it. Once as Irene stumbled over a stone it occurred to him that he ought to offer his arm. He could not remember when he had offered it to a girl; never, he believed, but he must do it now, especially as Irene again struck a small stone in the path and exclaimed against it.
“Take my arm,” he said; “the road seems rough.”
“No, thanks,” Irene answered. “I must have both my hands at liberty to hold my dress and keep it from being draggled. I had no idea the grass was so wet, or I would not have worn these thin boots. They are drenched already, and if you do not mind waiting I’ll run back and change them for something thicker. It will not take me long.”
“Certainly not,” Reginald replied. “Let me walk back with you, or can I go for you?”
“And change my boots? No,” and Irene laughed merrily. “I shall be gone no time, and we can easily overtake the others. Tell them not to wait.”
She was off like the wind, and when, as we missed the sound of her voice, we looked around, she was not to be seen, and Reginald was sitting alone on a flat boulder at the side of the lane.
“What has happened?” Tom said. “What’s the matter? Where’s Irene?”
“She found the grass too wet and has gone to change her shoes,” was the reply, as Reginald arose and came toward us.
Just then Irene came flying down the lane, looking disconcerted when she saw that we were waiting for her, thus spoiling her little manœuvre to keep Reginald to herself far behind us.
“Had to change your shoes for fear of taking cold, did you?” Tom said, as she came up. “I thought you never took cold.”