The Graduation Ball was over, and as the twins walked homeward with Polly and Mae twelve o’clock struck from the tower of the Congregational Church across the park. There was a big round moon riding high in the heavens, and the June night was warm and scented. Mae was to spend the night with Polly, and so the four kept together across Walnut Street and past the Starling house where, on the second floor, one lighted window proclaimed the presence of Bob. Even as Ned proposed a discreet hail, the light behind the shade went out.
“It was a lovely dance, wasn’t it?” asked Polly. Laurie, beside her, assented. “It’s been a perfectly gorgeous day,” added Polly. “All of it. It was such fun this morning at Miss Comfort’s. And that Mr. Goupil is a darling duck, isn’t he? And, oh, won’t it be perfectly corking next fall, Laurie, when we have the boat for our own? Think of the good times we can have! It was wonderful of Miss Comfort to think of it.”
“Bet you anything,” chuckled Laurie, “she’ll wish herself back there. Dare say she won’t be able to sleep on shore again after a summer on the rolling deep!”
Polly laughed. “She’s a dear, isn’t she? And, Laurie, didn’t everything turn out beautifully this spring? Think how we ‘reclaimed’ Kewpie and—”
“Heard Kewpie’s latest? He told Ned and me before supper that he might not be able to play football next fall because he didn’t want to risk hurting his pitching arm! He’s a rare bird, that Kewpie!”
“Oh, he must play football! But he will, of course. Wasn’t he splendid this afternoon? And—and weren’t you splendid, too? I just shrieked and shrieked when you made that perfectly wonderful catch and saved the game!”
“I didn’t save the game,” answered Laurie. “I dare say that fellow would have struck out in another minute. Anyhow, Kewpie says he would have!”
“But Kewpie doesn’t know, and if he had made a hit it would have tied the score at least. Anyhow, your catch was absolutely marvelous. Every one says so.”
A short silence followed. Then Laurie said resolutely: “Look here, I guess you might as well know the truth about that, Polly. I didn’t really make that catch.”
“Why, what do you mean? I saw you make it!”