He was always interested in the children, being more of a favorite among them than among the boys of his own age.
"There's Dorian," shouted one of the boys.

"Who are you going to marry ?" What in the world were the youngsters talking about, thought the young man, as the chattering children surrounded him.
"What's all this ?" asked Dorian, "a party ?" "Yes; it's Carlia's birthday; we're just taking a walk by the canal to see the water; my, but it's nice!" "What, the party or the water ?" "Why, the water." "Both" added another.
"We've all told who we're going to marry," remarked a little rosy-faced miss, "all but Carlia, an' she won't tell." "Well, but perhaps Carlia don't know.

You wouldn't have her tell a fib, would you ?" "Oh, shucks, she knows as well as us." "She's just stubborn." She who was receiving these criticisms seemed to be somewhat older and larger than her companions.

Just now, not deigning to notice the accusation of her friends, she was throwing sticks into the running water and watching them go over the falls at the headgate and dance on the rapids below.

Her white party dress was as yet spotless.