leaned her head against his shoulder. "I don't feel sleepy," she
told him, "and I am only a bit tired. Uncle Dick, are diamonds the
preciousest things in the world?"

"Those glittering out there on the grass, do you mean? They are fairy
diamonds, you know, and they disappear as soon as the sun gets high up."

"I know. I didn't mean those; I meant the kind human people wear."

"They are sold at rather a respectable price. Are you thinking of
investing or are you considering the display Miss Millikin made last
night? I think I counted thirteen on one hand. All are not diamonds
that glitter, Marybud. Miss Millikin isn't a bit more precious because
of her diamonds, so don't you go thinking I'll love you any better if
you have six diamond rings on one hand."

"But they are most costly, aren't they?"

"They cost like fury. That's why I can't be engaged to a girl; I can't
afford to buy a ring."

Mary took this perfectly seriously. "I suppose six little diamonds
would cost as much as twenty pounds," she said.

"Yes, one might get six, not too big, for that price. The little ones
cost much less than the big one in proportion. A large solitaire costs
much more than a number of small ones taking up as much space. But why
this sudden interest in diamonds? Have you twenty pounds to spend and
are you thinking of spending it all in diamonds to take home as a gift
to your mother?"

"Oh, no, I have only one pound to spend, and mamma wouldn't wish me to
spend all that upon her."

"Then let's talk of something else; song-sparrows or sand-peeps or
sea-gulls, or something not so sordid as gold and diamonds. Look at
that yacht out there, isn't it a corker? Now, when I have money to
spend I shall not buy diamonds, I shall buy a yacht. By the way, did
you know we were all going out sailing this afternoon, to Rocky Point?"

"Are we?" said Mary listlessly.

"Why I thought you would enjoy it. We have been talking of this sail
for two or three days, and you little kitties were wild about it, I
thought."

"I am delighted; of course I am," returned Mary with more show of
interest. "Shall we take supper there? I heard Aunt Ada and Luella
talking about sandwiches."

"Yes, that is the intention. We shall not try sailing by the outside
route but will go around by Middle Bay where it is not rough. Polly
has not tried sailing yet, and we must be sure of smooth waters. If it
gets too much for her we can set her ashore