When the dishes were put away Percy Brimstead arrived with his sister Annabel in their buggy.  Bim went out to meet them and came into the dooryard with her arm around Annabel’s waist.

“Did any one ever see a lovelier girl than this?” Bim asked, as they stood up before the dinner party.

“Her cheeks are like wild roses, her eyes like the dew on them when the sun is rising,” said Kelso.

“But look at her mouth and the teeth in it the next time she smiles,” Bim went on.

“Aye, they are well wrought,” her father answered.

“If you don’t stop, I shall run,” Annabel protested.

“I haven’t said a word, but I want you to know that I am deeply impressed,” said Harry.  “No girl has a right to be as handsome as you are and come and look into the face of a young man who has resolved to look at the new moon through a knot bole.”

“Well, who would have thought it!” Bim exclaimed.  “Such a wonderful compliment, and from Harry Needles!”

“Of course he didn’t mean it,” said Annabel, whose cheeks were now very red.

“Of course I mean it,” Harry declared.  “That’s why I keep away from your house.  I am bound to stay single.”

“Did you ever see a fairy going to mill on a butterfly’s back?” Bim asked, looking at Harry.

“Not as I remember,” he answered.

“If you had, you wouldn’t expect us to believe it,” Bim asserted.

“There was a soldier in Colonel Taylor’s regiment who always ran when the enemy was in sight,” Abe began.  “When he was brought up for discipline, he said ’My heart is as brave as Julius Caesar’s but my legs can’t be trusted.’  I know Harry’s legs are all right, but I don’t believe his heart can be trusted in a battle of this kind.”

“I’ve heard all about his brave adventures in the war,” said Bim.  “He’ll find that girls are worse than Indians.”

“If they’re as well armed as you two, I guess you’re right,” said Samson.

Abe rose and said:  “The day is passing.  I’ll start on with Parsons and the pony and read my stint afoot.  You come along in a few minutes.  By the time you overtake me I’ll be ready to get into the saddle.”

Half an hour or so after Abe had gone, Harry’s horse, which had been whinnying for his mate, bounded out of the stable and went galloping down the road, having slipped his halter.

“He will not stop until he overtakes the other horse,” said Harry.

“You can ride with us,” Annabel suggested.

So the young man brought his saddle and bridle and put it under the seat of the buggy and got in with Annabel and her small brother.

“Don’t let us go too far,” said Bim, as she stood by the side of the buggy.  “You haven’t offered to shake hands.”

“It was a deliberate slight—­just to please you,” Harry answered, as they shook hands.

“You are behaving terribly well,” Bim exclaimed, merrily.  “Now, Annabel, here is your chance to convert him.”