absorbed this information.

"Your aunt keeps house for Miss Derwent in the summer time at her
cottage on Hawk Island," he went on, turning to Sylvia.

"I have a mother who unfortunately doesn't like the island, Miss
Lacey," explained Edna, returning to the sink. "Take this plate, Minty,
please."

"Guess you want another wiper, too, don't yer?" asked the child.

"I'll take as many as you'll give me," responded Miss Derwent. "I'd
like a fresh wiper every two plates; but don't you encourage me, Minty,
or I shan't be popular with your mother. Fill up the kettle, too,
there's a dear. I'm a reckless scalder. Why, the stove lid's under that
kettle. I wondered why it wasn't hotter."

"Wait till I find the hooker," cried Minty, diving down under the stove
in search of the iron.

"Minty Foster, how many times have I told you never to take that hooker
off the string?" said her mother reprovingly.

"I jest wanted it to crack nuts with," explained Minty, as she fished
the lifter out triumphantly.

"Well, don't you never untie it again!" responded her mother severely.

"Yes, you'll crack it some day," remarked Edna, "and then what would
you do, miles from a hooker as you are? I was telling you, Miss Lacey,
that I have a mother with only one foible,--she doesn't like our
island. You will see what heresy it is when you come over there. So
Miss Martha has taken pity on me the last few summers, and I think she
loves it as much as I do."

Sylvia's embarrassment was painful, as the speaker paused, looking at
her in the natural expectation of a response.

"I don't know her," was all the reply her lips could utter.

"Then perhaps you will meet her first at my house," returned Edna
brightly. "That would be very pleasant for me, I'm sure. I should enjoy
the novelty of making near relatives acquainted."

"I shan't be here when she comes," responded Sylvia quickly.

"Indeed? Why, I'm sorry. I supposed you were to be a summer guest. You
know Judge Trent, of course."

Sylvia's hot blush under the innocent question caused her cousin to
come to the rescue again.

"No, even though he is her uncle," he said. "Strange state of things,
isn't it?"

"Her uncle, and Miss Lacey her aunt?" returned Miss Derwent. "I never
knew they were related."

"They aren't. It's the two sides of the house, you see."

"Miss Sylvy's the missin' link," put in Cap'n Lem, softly slapping his
knee and shaking his head while his eyes closed tightly. "Don'