ham. "You and Jewel row over if you like."

"No, we'd rather walk with you," said the child heroically.

Julia smiled. "I don't want you. There are birds and flowers."

"Well, come down and see us off, anyway," said Mr. Evringham; so the three
moved over the grass toward the pond; two walking sedately and one skipping
from sheer high spirits.

As they drew near the little wharf the child's quick eyes perceived that
there were two boats floating there, one each side of it.

"See that, grandpa! There's some visitor around here," she said, running
ahead of the others. A light, graceful boat rose and fell on the waves. It
was golden brown within and without, and highly varnished. Its four seats
were furnished with wine-colored cushions. Four slim oars lay along its
bottom, and its rowlocks gleamed. Best of all, a slender mast with snowy
sail furled about it lay along the edge.

"Grandpa, p-_lease_ ask somebody whose it is and if we could get in just a
minute!" begged Jewel, in hushed excitement.

"Oh, they're all good neighbors about here. They won't mind, whoever it
is," returned Mr. Evringham carelessly, and to the child's wonder and
doubt he jumped aboard.

"Pretty neat outfit, isn't it?" he continued, as he stood a moment looking
over the lines of the craft, and then lifted the mast.

"Oh, it'll sail, too, it'll sail, too!" cried Jewel, hopping up and down.
"Oh, mother, did you ever _hear_ of such a pretty boat?"

"Never," replied Mrs. Evringham. "It must be that some one has come over
from one of those fine homes across the pond."

Privately, she was a little surprised by the manner in which Mr. Evringham
was making himself at home. He set the mast in its place and then, his arms
akimbo, stood regarding Jewel's tense, sun-browned countenance and
sparkling eyes.

"How would it be for me to go up to the house and see if we could get
permission to take a little sail?" he asked.

"Oh, it would be splendid, grandpa," responded Jewel, "but--but he might
say no, and _could_ I get in just a minute first?"

"Yes, come on." The child waited for no second invitation, but sprang into
the boat and examined its dry, shining floor and felt its buttoned cushions
with admiring awe.

"Hello, see here," said Mr. Evringham, bending over the further side.
"Easy, now," for Jewel had scrambled to see. He trimmed the boat while her
flaxen head leaned eagerly over.

Beautifully painted in shining black letters she read the na