And this is all he exclaimed, with bitterness in his heart, as he leaned onthe window and looked out at the great yellow moon that was shining sobright as to show the golden hues of the overhanging elm boughs and thescarlet of an adjoining maple.

A light ripple of laughter came up from below, and a chestnut thrown upstruck him on the arm, and he saw Diana and Bill step from out theshadowy porch.

"There's a chestnut for you, Mr. 0wl," she called, gaily, "if you _will_stay moping up there! Come, now, it's a splendid evening; _won't_ youcome?"