"Who put that idea into your head?--Mamie?"
"Nobody, thank you, I guess I have a mind of my own."
"New teacher start in by giving you a lecture on deportment?"
Chicken Little stamped her foot. "You're perfectful hateful--and I sha'n't walk another step with you!"
They were near the gate leading from the lane into the orchard and she suited the action to the word, by darting through it and running off under the trees.
Sherm looked after her a moment, undecided whether to stand on his dignity or to pursue. He had considered Jane a little girl--most of the time. Some way she was alluringly different to-day. He suddenly resolved that he would not be flouted in any such fashion. It took him about two minutes to catch up with Chicken Little and slip his arm through hers.
"No, you don't, Miss. You are going to sit down here under this tree and tell me exactly what's the matter!"
Chicken Little struggled rebelliously, but Sherm held her firmly.
"I can't--Mother told me to come straight home from school; she wanted me."
"Fibber! Your mother and Marian went over to Benton's this afternoon. You needn't try to dodge--you and I are going to have this out right now. So you might as well be obliging and sit down comfortably."
"It wasn't anything to make such a fuss about."
Chicken Little flung herself down upon the grass.
Sherm stretched his muscular length on the sward in front of her and began to chew a grass stem in a leisurely fashion while he watched her.
Chicken Little pulled a handful of long grasses and commenced plaiting them. Her hair was windblown and her face rose-flushed from her run. She declined to look at Sherm.
"Chicken Little--O Chicken Little, are you very mad? Chicken Little?"
Chicken Little kept her brown eyes fixed upon the pliant stems.
"Chicken Little," Sherm murmured softly, "you have the prettiest eyes of any girl I know."
Chicken Little caught the touch of malice in his tone and shot an indignant glance at him from the aforesaid eyes.
Sherm laughed delightedly. "Chicken Little, you don't need to tell me what's the matter with you--I know."
Chicken Little shot another indignant glance. "There isn't anything the matter except what I told you--of course, it wasn't anything really--only----"