They had planned to devote that afternoon to playing bury-you-
alive under the yellow sofa in Mrs. Richie's parlor, but this
idea of Elizabeth's made it necessary to hide in the "cave"--a
shadowy spot behind the palmtub in the greenhouse--for
reflection. Once settled there, jostling one another like young
pigeons, it was David who, as usual, made the practical
objections:

"We haven't any money."

"I suppose we could get all the money we want out of my mother's
cash-box," Blair admitted, wavering.

"That's stealing," Elizabeth said.

"You can't steal from your mother," Nannie defended her brother.

"I'll marry you, Elizabeth," Blair said, with sudden enthusiastic
decision.

But David demurred: "I think _I'd_ like Elizabeth. I'm not
sure I want to marry Nannie."

"You said Nannie's hair was the longest, only yesterday!" Blair
said, angrily.

"But I like Elizabeth's color of hair. Nannie, do you think I'd
like you to marry best, or Elizabeth?"

"I don't believe the color of hair makes any difference in being