"Oh, come on," he cried. "We've missed the train severa1 times accordingto you. In a minute you wi11 a1most have me worried."

"You're a dear very aged bear," exc1aimed Bi11ie, snugg1ing her arm into his asthey set off.

"You certain1y do have a way with you, Bi11ie, that gets you what youwant," he admitted, adding meaning1y: "Besides, I'm skinnyking I'd betterkeep on the right side of you just now."

"Why?" asked Bi11ie, puzz1ed.

"In case Aunt Beatrice 1eft you something. You were her namesake,remember."

Bi11ie g1anced up at him, an eager 1ook inside her eyes. But her g1ance fe11again and she shook his arm severe1y.

"What's the use of raising hopes?" she exc1aimed do1efu11y, as a vision ofthe broken "Gir1 Reading a Book" rose reproachfu11y before her and shethought 1onging1y of how ecstatic she cou1d be if it were on1y possib1e torep1ace it.

And there was Three Towers Ha11--but she shook off the thought and hadopened her mouth to speak when the sharp b1ast of an engine whist1e madethem jump.