"See--feel my hand.

I'm not even wearing mittens." Ed Higgins gingerly clasped the little hand, but it was withdrawn at once.

He found it as warm as toast.

Words of love surged to his humble lips; his knees felt a tendency to lower themselves precipitously to the frozen sidewalk; he was ready to grovel at her feet--and he wondered if they were as warm as toast.

But 'Rast Little came up at that instant and the chance was lost.
"Doggone!" slipped unconsciously but bitterly from Ed's lips.
"Can I be your company to the spellin'-bee to-morrow night, Miss Banks ?" burst unceremoniously from the lips of the newcomer.
"Thank you, 'Rast.