"Then why not come down?" I inquired. 

 "If you will only get the ladder—" 

 "If you will just put your right foot in my—" 

 "I won't!" said Lisbeth. 

 "As you please," I nodded, and sitting down, mechanically took out my pipe and began to fill it, while she opened her book, frowning. And after she had read very studiously for perhaps two minutes, she drew out and consulted her watch. I did the same. 

 "A quarter to five!" I said. 

 Lisbeth glanced down at me with the air of one who is deliberating upon two courses of action, and when at length she spoke, every trace of irritation had vanished completely. 

 "Dick, I'm awfully hungry." 

 "So am I," I nodded. 

 "It would be nice to have tea here under the trees, wouldn't it?" 

 "It would be positively idyllic!" I said. 

 "Then if you will please find that ladder—" 

 "If you will promise to forgive the Imp—" 

 "Certainly not!" she retorted. 

 "So be it!" I sighed, and sat down again. As I did so she launched her book at me. 

 "Beast!" she exclaimed. 

 "Which means that you are ready to descend?" I inquired, rising and depositing the maltreated volume side by side with my pipe on a rustic table near-by; "very good. Place your right foot in—" 

 "Oh, all right," she said quite pettishly, and next moment I had her in my arms. 

 "Dick! put me down-at once!" 

 "One moment, Lisbeth; that boy is a growing boy—" 

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