rest
of us sat round and talked a little; but I was so ravenous that I
couldn't think of anything but lunch, and I rather think the others were
in the same condition. Then, as soon as we had done, it was time to
start for home."

"What do you think that horrid Mr. Deane said?" she continued, after a
short pause. "You know, he's always trying to be satirical. Some one was
saying something about the grove's being such a nice place for picnics,
and Mr. Deane interrupted, in that disagreeable dry way of his which
some people call funny: 'Well, yes, perhaps so; but in my opinion the
proper place for a picnic of this kind is--a gorge!'"

There was a universal giggle.

"How did he dare?" observed Julia Prime.

"Oh, he dares to say just what he likes. He doesn't mind anybody. But I
know one thing, and that is that Gorham Allerton didn't like it a bit.
He looked absolutely black, and I saw him talking to Mrs. Jackson
Tainter about it afterward; and I'll wager something handsome that old
Deane will find himself left out of the next picnic. I'm sure, if he
does, it will only serve him right for being so rude."

"I don't believe he'll mind it if he isn't invited," remarked Gertrude.
"He dined with papa last night; and I heard him say that it was the
dullest affair he ever was at in his life, and only fit for the
'companions of Ulysses.'"

"What _did_ he mean?"

"I don't know. Something about General Grant, I suppose.--Candace, what
_are_ you laughing at?"

"Oh, nothing," said Cannie, composing her face as well as she could. A
little old translation of the Odyssey had been among the books in the
North Tolland library, and she was more "up" in the "companions of
Ulysses" than the rest of the party.

"How different picnics now-a-days are from those which we used to have
in Newport when I was a girl," remarked Mrs. Gray from the drawing-room
window, where she had been standing unperceived for a moment or two.

"Oh, Mrs. Gray, are you there?" and the girls hastened to the window.
Some of them kissed her; and all, except perhaps Berry Joy, looked glad
to see her, for she was a general favorite with her daughters' friends.

"Tell us about the picnics you used to have when you were young," said
Julia Prime, balancing herself on the window-sill and keeping fast hold
of Mrs. Gray's hand.

"There is not much to tell, Julia. They would seem tame affairs enough
to you modern young people, I suppose. We hadn't any men with us as a