re were no
black-and-white hats, so Dick bought a coarse white straw with black
ribbon round it, and then seized the opportunity--as they sold
everything at the little shop, from treacle to thread, and from bacon
and big boots to hardware and hats--to buy some fishing-hooks and
string, finding fault with the hooks as being soft and coarse, but the
man assured him that they were the very best for the sea, so he was
content.

"See what a disgusting fit these things are!" cried Arthur, as his
brother entered.

"Yes; you do look an old guy, Taff," cried Dick maliciously. "Ha! ha!
ha! why, they've shrunk with being dried. Here, let's pull the legs
down. You've put your legs through too far."

"There! Now what did I tell you?" cried Arthur, angrily. "Look at that
now. I distinctly told you to bring a black-and-white straw; I can't
wear a thing like that."

"But they had no black and whites," said Dick.

"Stuff and nonsense!" cried Arthur; "they've plenty, and you didn't
remember."

"Now, are you ready?" said Mr Temple.

"Yes, papa; but look here," began Arthur in a depressing voice.

"I was looking," said Mr Temple; "I congratulate you upon looking so
comfortable and at your ease. Now you can fish, or climb, or do
anything. Mind you write home to-night for some things to be sent down.
Come away."

Mr Temple went out of the room, and Dick executed a sort of triumphant
war-dance round his brother, who frowned pityingly and stalked to the
corner of the room, with his nose in the air, to take up his tasselled,
silver-mounted cane.

"No, you don't," said Dick, snatching the cane away and putting it back
in the corner. "No canes to-day, Dandy Taff, and no gloves. Come
along."

He caught his brother's arm, thrust his own through, and half dragged,
half thrust him out of the place to where his father was waiting.

"Never mind your gloves, Arthur," said the latter dryly, "or if you
particularly wish to keep your hands white, perhaps you had better take
care of your face as well, and borrow a parasol."

Arthur reddened and thrust his gloves back into his pockets, as he
followed his father down to the little pier; but he was obliged to raise
his straw hat from time to time, and smooth his well pomatumed hair,
ignorant of the fact that his every act was watched by his brother, who
could not refrain from laughing at the little bits of foppishness he
displayed.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

AN EXPLORING TRIP ALONG