VALLEY

170 RAINBOW VALLEYhated the idea. It was rough and painful and, worstof all, it was ugly. He never could understand Jem'sexultation in an occasional conflict. But he wishedhe could fight Dan Reese. He was horribly ashamedbecause Faith Meredith had been insulted in his presenceand he had not tried to punish her insulter. Hefelt sure she must despise him. She had not evenspoken to him since Dan had called her pig-girl.was glad when they came to the parting of the ways.Faith, too, was relieved, though for a different reason.HeShe wanted to be alone because she suddenly feltrather nervous about her errand. Impulse had cooled,especially since Dan had bruised her self-respect. Shemust go through with it, but she no longer had enthusiasmto sustain her.She was going to see NormanDouglas and ask him to come back to church, and shebegan to be afraid of him. What had seemed so easyand simple up at the Glen seemed very different downhere. She had heard a good deal about NormanDouglas, and she knew that even the biggest boys inschool were afraid of him. Suppose he called hershe had heard he was given to that.something nastyFaith could not endure being called namesthey subduedher far more quickly than a physical blow..Butshe would go on Faith Meredith always went on.If she did not her father might have to leave the Glen.At the end of the long lane Faith came to the housea big, old-fashioned one with a row of soldierlyLombardies marching pastit. On the back veranda