hin
ice--worse'n that, 'cause he can't stop on either side, got to keep
runnin' between 'em and look out and not fall in."

Labor Day, the day upon which the Cape summer season really ends, did
not, to the High Cliff House, mean the general exodus which it means to
most of the Cape hotels. Some of Thankful's lodgers left, of course, but
many stayed, and were planning to stay through September if the weather
continued pleasant. But on the Saturday following Labor Day it rained.
And the next day it rained harder, and on Monday began a series of cold,
windy, gloomy days which threatened to last indefinitely. One after
the other the sojourners from the cities passed from grumbling at the
weather to trunk-packing and leaving. A few stayed on into the next week
but when, at the end of that week, a storm set in which was more severe
than those preceding it, even these optimists surrendered. Before that
third week was over the High Cliff House was practically deserted.
Except for Heman Daniels and John Kendrick and Miss Timpson and Caleb
Hammond, Thankful and Emily and Imogene were alone in the big house.

This upsetting of her plans and hopes worried Thankful not a little.
Emily, too, was troubled concerning her cousin's business outlook. The
High Cliff House had been a success during its first season, but it
needed the expected September and early October income to make it a
success financially. The expense had been great, much greater than
Thankful had expected or planned. It is true that the boarders, almost
without exception, had re-engaged rooms and board for the following
summer, but summer was a long way off. There was the winter to be lived
through and if, as they had hoped, additions and enlargements to the
establishment were to be made in the spring, more, a good deal more
money, would be needed.

"As I see it, Auntie," said Emily, when they discussed the situation,
"you have splendid prospects here. Your first season has been all or
more than you dared hope for, and if we had had good weather--the sort
of weather everyone says the Cape usually has in the fall months--you
would have come out even or better. But, even then, to make this scheme
a real money-maker, you would be obliged to have more sleeping-rooms
made over, and a larger dining-room. Now why don't you go and see
this--what is he?--cousin of yours, Mr. Cobb, and tell him just how you
stand? Tell him of your prospects and your plans, and get him to advan