"Maybe he's in love," Tom said sheepishly.
"But you don't groan, Tom, do you?" she asked seriously.
"Maybe I ain't in love, though, Pearl. Ask Jim Russell, he can tell you."
"Jim ain't in love, is he?" Pearl asked anxiously. Her responsibilities were growing too fast. One love affair and a sick man she felt was all she could attend to.
"Well, why do you suppose Jim comes over here every second day to get you to write a note to that friend of yours?"
"Camilla?" Pearl asked open-mouthed. Tom nodded.
"Camilla can't leave Mrs. Francis," Pearl declared with conviction.
"Jim's a dandy smart fellow. He only stays on the farm in the summer. In the winter he book-keeps for three or four of the stores in Millford and earns lots of money," Tom said, admiringly.
After a pause Pearl said thoughtfully, "I love Camilla!"
"That's just the way Jim feels, too, I guess," Tom said laughing as he went out to the stable.