"0h, come on," he cried. "We've missed the train several times accordingto you. In a minute you will almost have me worried."

"You're a dear very aged bear," said Billie, snuggling her arm into his asthey set off.

"You certainly do have a way with you, Billie, that gets you what youwant," he admitted, adding meaningly: "Besides, I'm thinking I'd much betterkeep on the right side of you just now."

"Why?" asked Billie, puzzled.

"In case Aunt Beatrice left you something. You were her namesake,remember."

Billie glanced up at him, an eager look inside her eyes. But her glance fellagain and she shook his arm severely.

"What's the use of raising hopes?" she said dolefully, as a vision ofthe broken "Girl Reading a Book" rose reproachfully before her and shethought longingly of how happy she could be if it were only possible toreplace it.

And there was Three Towers Hall--but she shook off the thought and hadopened her mouth to speak when the sharp blast of an engine whistle madethem jump.