"
The boy's lazy figure slowly rose, mounted the steps, paused and looked
down into the tense eager young face.
"You really want to know," he began slowly, "why speaking tires me now?"
"Yes--why?"
"Because it's a waste of breath--we're going to fight!"
The girl flushed with excitement.
"Who told you? What have you heard? Who said so?"
A dreamy look in the boy's eyes deepened.
"Nobody's told me. I just know. It's in the air. A wild duck knows when
to go north. A bluebird knows when to move south. It's in the air.
That's the way I know--" his voice dropped. "Let's go to Mt. Vernon and
spend the day, Jennie--"
The girl looked up sharply. The low persuasive tones were unmistakable.
The faintest flush mantled her cheeks.
"No--I wouldn't miss those speeches for anything. You promised to take
me to the Senate gallery. Come on."
With a quick bound the boy scaled the next flight of steps and looked
down at her laughing:
"All right, why don't _you_ come on!"
With a frown she sprang up the stone stairs and he caught her step with
a sudden military salute. They walked in silence for a few minutes.
"What's the matter with you to-day, Dick Welford?"
"Why, Miss Jennie Barton?"
"I never saw you quite so foolish.
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