isposition. My object is not money, but
only expenses paid and a chance to forget a recent and still poignant
grief. I hope you will see the necessity for such an addition to your
party, and allow me to subscribe myself, madam,

Your most obedient servant,

J. UPDIKE.

Tish was much impressed; but Hutchins, in whose judgment she began to
have the greatest confidence, opposed the idea.

"I wouldn't think of it," she said briefly.

"Why? It's a frank, straightforward letter."

"He likes himself too much. And you should always be suspicious of
anything that's offered too cheap."

So the Updike application was refused. I have often wondered since what
would have been the result had we accepted it!

The worms were doing well, though Tish found that Hannah neglected them,
and was compelled to feed them herself. On the day before we started, we
packed them carefully in ice and moss, and fed them. That was the day
the European war was declared.

"Canada is at war," Tish telephoned. "The papers say the whole country
is full of spies, blowing up bridges and railroads."

"We can still go to the seashore," I said. "The bead things will do for
the missionary box to Africa."

"Seashore nothing!" Tish retorted. "We're going, of course,--just as we
planned. We'll keep our eyes open; that's all. I'm not for one side or
the other, but a spy's a spy."

Later that evening she called again to say there were rumors that the
Canadian forests were bristling with German wireless outfits.

"I've a notion to write J. Updike, Lizzie, and find out whether he knows
anything about wireless telegraphy," she said, "only there's so little
time. Perhaps I can find a book that gives the code."

[This is only pertinent as showing Tish's state of mind. As a matter of
fact, she did not write to Updike at all.]

Well, we started at last, and I must say they let us over the border
with a glance; but they asked us whether we had any firearms. Tish's
trunk contained a shotgun and a revolver; but she had packed over the
top her most intimate personal belongings, and they were not disturbed.

"Have you any weapons?" asked the inspector.

"Do we look like persons carrying weapons?" Tish demanded haughtily. And
of course we did not. Still, there was an untruth of the spirit and none
of us felt any too comfortable. Indeed, what followed may have been a
punishment on us for deceit and conspiracy.

Aggie had taken her cat along--becaus