“Cap’n Belah; you know he keeps wind of everything that goes on. I met him on my way from the boat this morning after seeing Cousin Rindy off, and he asked me facetiously why I wasn’t keeping my weather eye out for ‘them boys over on Halsey’s Island, likely-lookin’ chaps.’ ‘What boys?’ I asked. ‘Do you know their names?’ Wal, he cal’lated that he couldn’t name ’em all, but the one that came over oftenest for supplies went by name of Tom Clayton. They cruised around consid’rable in a motor-boat, there was something like half a dozen of ’em, and they had h’isted tents, was kind of soldiering, he cal’lated.” Mabel laughed at Ellen’s imitation. “Well, you have done well in gathering in your sheaves so early in the morning. Anything more?” “I asked if one was named Robert MacDonald. I couldn’t resist that question, Mabel. But Cap’n Belah ‘disremembered,’ so I didn’t gain anything by ‘satiable curiosity.’ Shall we go this morning or this afternoon?” “This afternoon, I think, for I must write some letters this morning.” “Same here, as Clyde says. I must write to Caro or she will feel neglected. I wish the dear child wouldn’t be so jealous of you.” “Jealousy is a mean trait, on a par with ingratitude. One is caused by an inflated ego, the other by a thoughtless one.” “Where did you learn so much?” “Read it in a book.” “Book spoke the truth. To be jealous one must consider one’s self worthy of first place, of satisfying every side of the other’s nature, and possessing so many excellent traits that nobody else could stand the same chance in another’s affections.” “Spoken like a very oracle. Wise little noddle, yours is, Ellen. You think real big thoughts.” “I’ve had plenty of time for such, and have not lived in the frivolous atmosphere that some others have,” returned Ellen saucily. “Out upon your frivolous atmosphere! Am I not doing all I can to escape from it? I see where I shall become a perfect prig if I allow myself to indulge in such moralizing. Away with priggishness, jealousy, and all such stuff. To-day is ours for romance!” “Ah, yes, romance!” echoed Ellen. They made an early start that afternoon, for it may be said that Mabel was just as curious as Ellen. The air blew fresh from the sea, so that they did not need to loiter by the way because of undue heat. They reached the house without adventure. All was as silent, as depressing, as before, but this time the two did not stop to explore, but made straight for the cupboard, which Ellen reached first. “It’s gone!” she cried. “The card is gone!” Mabel peered over her friend’s shoulder at the empty shelf, but presently she looked down to spy something lying on the floor. She swooped down upon it and held a scrap of paper high over her head. “Look! Look!” she exclaimed. “It blew down when we opened the cupboard.” They raced to the nearest window, the better to see what was written. Mabel read aloud: