Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/277

 end of the morning they were coming along one of the shrubberies toward the house when the lunch-bell rang.

Pollyooly stopped short and said:

"We'd better say good-by now. I've got to slip away directly after lunch. You'd better not see who I go with in case it's found out some day, and you're asked questions."

"I suppose I'd better not," said Ronald, and he put his hands in his pockets and kicked at the gravel.

They gazed at each other awkwardly; then he said, "Well, you're the jolliest kid I ever came across."

"I didn't know boys could be as nice as you," said Pollyooly with conviction.

There was another rather awkward silence; then, with a determined, almost heroic air, Ronald stepped forward, put his arm clumsily round Pollyooly's shoulders, and kissed her full on the lips.

They both gasped and flushed; then with one accord they turned and walked quickly toward the house, saying nothing, looking shamefaced.

On the top of the steps Pollyooly paused and said softly, "Good-by, Ronnie."