"Never mind; let's sit in the dark a spell. Gertie comin' down pretty
soon, is she?"

"Yes. She's changing her dress, because you asked her to. Why did you
ask her? Why should she dress up just for you and me?"

"Oh, just a notion of mine. I like that red dress of hers, anyway; the
one with the fringe trimmin's along the upper riggin'."

"That dress isn't red, it's pink."

"I don't care. I thought 'twas about the color of my nose, and if that's
pink then I'm losin' my complexion."

"Daniel!" with a laugh, "how you do talk and act to-day! At luncheon
you were as queer as could be and now you're worse. I never saw you so
fidgety and excited. What IS going to happen? Something, I know. You
wouldn't tell me this noon; will you tell me now?"

"Pretty soon, Serena; pretty soon. Now let's talk about somethin'
interestin'; about ourselves, for instance. How do you like bein' back
here in Trumet? Ain't gettin' tired of it, are you? The old town doesn't
seem stupid; hey?"

"No, indeed! Don't speak that way, Daniel."

"Well, I just mentioned it, that's all. Soon as you do get tired and
want to see somethin' new, we'll take that cruise to Washin'ton or the
Falls or somewheres. Never mind the price. Way I feel now I'd go to
the moon if 'twould please you. Say the word and I'll hire the balloon
to-morrow--or Monday, anyway; no business done in Trumet on Sunday."

Serena laughed again. "I shan't say it for a long while," she declared.
"I am having such a good time. The house seems so snug and homey. And
all our old friends and neighbors have been so kind. They seemed so
glad to see us when we came, as if they were real friends, not the
make-believe sort."

"Not the Annette kind, you mean. That particular breed of cats is scarce
on the Cape--at least I hope it is."

"So do I. I never want to see her again. I am so glad they have sold
their cottage here, and that the Fenholtzes have bought it--if they
have bought it, as you say you heard. You always liked the Fenholtzes,
Daniel. I did, too, or I should if Annette hadn't told me--"

"I know, I know. Some day that woman will tell the truth by accident and
the Ladies of Honor crowd'll be mournin' a leadin' light that went out
sudden. But never mind her. The folks here HAVE been nice to us, haven't
they?"

"Indeed they have! And so thoughtful! Why, Sophronia Smalley even came
to ask me if I wouldn't consider taking my old place as president of
Trumet Chapter. She is pres