And now, good-by for two months. I will let you know when I am
home so that you may begin on your duties."
"Good-by, Mr. Derry," said the little girl artlessly. "And thar's
something I'd like to say to you, if you don't mind."
"You may say anything--everything--to me, Amarilly."
"When you go to eat, won't you order jest as ef I was with you--nothin'
more?"
His fair boyish face reddened slightly, and then a serious look came
into his dancing eyes.
"By Jove, Amarilly! I've been wishing some girl who really meant it, who
really cared, would say that to me. You put it very delicately and
sweetly. I'll--yes, I'll do it all the time I'm gone. There's my hand on
it. Good-by, Amarilly."
"Good-by, Mr. Derry."
Amarilly walked home very slowly, trying to think of a way to realize
again from the surplice.
"I'm afeerd I won't find a place to rent it right away," she sighed.
Looking up, she saw the Boarder. A slender, shy slip of a girl had his
arm, and he was gazing into her intent eyes with a look of adoration.
"Oh, the Boarder is in love!" gasped Amarilly; her responsive little
heart leaping in sympathetic interest. "That's why he's wore a blue
necktie the last few days. Lord Algernon said that was allers a sure
sign."
She tactfully slipped around a corner, unseen by the entranced couple.
That night, as he was lighting his after-supper pipe, the Boarder
remarked casually:
"I'd like to rent the surplus fer an hour to-morrer, Amarilly.
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