The subject was a very distasteful one to Tom. He looked at her for a moment to see whether she was laughing at him, and then broke it off abruptly—

“I hope you have enjoyed your visit?”

“Oh yes, so very much. I shall think of it all the summer.”

“Where shall you be all the summer?” asked Tom. “Not so very far from you. Papa has taken a house only eight miles from Englebourn, and Katie says you live within a day's drive of them.”

“And shall you be there all the vacation?”

“Yes; and we hope to get Katie over often. Could not you come and meet her? it would be so pleasant.”

“But do you think I might? I don't know your father or mother.”

“Oh, yes; papa and mamma are very kind, and will ask anybody I like. Besides, you are a cousin, you know.”

“Only up at Oxford, I am afraid.”

“Well now, you will see. We are going to have a great archery party next month, and you shall have an invitation.”