"Oh, if I had only been at that fair!" murmured Dave.
"What could you have done against two of them?" asked his uncle.
"I don't know, but I would have made it warm for them—and maybe handed them over to the police."
"I have cautioned the girls to be on their guard," said David Porter. "And you must be on your guard, Dave. It is not wise to take chances with such fellows as Jasniff and Merwell."
"I'll keep my eyes open for them," answered the son.
Dave ran up to his room, and put his big bundle away in a corner of the clothing closet. Then he dressed for dinner. As he came out he met Jessie, who stood on the landing with a white carnation in her hand.
"It's for your buttonhole," she said. "It's the largest in the conservatory." And she adjusted it skillfully. He watched her in silence, and when she had finished he caught her by both hands.
"Jessie, I'm so glad to be back—so glad to be with you again!" he half whispered.
"Are you really, Dave?" she returned, and her eyes were shining like stars.
"You know I am; don't you?" he pleaded.
"Yes," she answered, in a low voice. And then,
