One evening Ben said: "Jim, the Whitneys are going over into Jersey on an exploring expedition, to view some curious old places, Cockloft Hall among them. Don't you want to go?" Jim glanced up lazily. The boys were to play ball, as they often did, on Saturday afternoon. "Oh, that's the place where the Salmagundi Club used to meet," cried Hanny, with eager interest. "It is in Newark." "Yes; and there's another queer nest on the Passaic where a great sportsman lives, Henry William Herbert, the Frank Forrester of some stirring adventures. Mr. Whitney is to see him. And there are some other old haunts; Delia was looking them up,--the Kearny house, and an old place that was once used as a sort of fort." "Dele Whitney goes round just like a boy!" said Jim, disdainfully. "Well, why shouldn't she go with her brother?" "Oh, Ben, can't I go with you?" pleaded Hanny. "Jersey's a queer sort of State," said Jim, teasingly. "The Blue Laws are still in operation. You are not allowed to stay out after dark." "Are they printed in blue? And you don't mean to stay out after dark, do you, Ben?" Hanny's expression was so simply honest they all laughed, which rather disconcerted her. "It is because you feel pretty blue when you have to obey them; and Jersey is out of the United States." "It just isn't, Mr. Jim!" cried Hanny, indignantly. "It's one of the Middle States." It was quite the fashion then to laugh at New Jersey, in spite of the geography; though even at that remote date New Jersey peaches were held in high esteem. "But if you went with Dele Whitney, we shouldn't know when to look for you--hardly where," and Jim winked. That was an allusion to an old visit at the Museum, when they stayed all the evening, for the same admittance. "I've half suspected you were the ringleader of that scheme, Jim," said his doctor-brother. "I have a mind to go. One good thing about the Whitneys is that you can invite yourself, and no one takes umbrage." "Oh, do go!" said Ben; and Hanny came around to give his hand a tender, persuasive squeeze. "I haven't explored the State very much, but it has some curious features. The magnolia and many Southern flowers grow there. I believe almost every kind of mineral, even to gold, is found in the State. And it is rich in historic lore." "There was Valley Forge," said Hanny, softly. "Yes, the Delaware River is beautiful. And the Passaic winds half around the State. It is twenty-seven miles by water,--a delightful sail we must take some time, Hanny." "We shouldn't have time for that now. We are to start at one. Delia'll be glad enough to have you go, Hanny." "Then you may count on us," returned Joe. "Well, I'll take the ball game," said Jim.