"But I'd like to have known Mrs. Thaxter, wouldn't you?" "Yes, though a person who had lived most of her life on an island of four hundred acres must have been different from the rest of the world." "She _did_ write poetry," replied Clare. "Yes, that made her different from most of us. But here come Peggy and the rest. I wonder where they've been." Peggy and her party explained that they had been watching the surf on the farther side of the island. "Yes," exclaimed Peggy, "it was fine, I can tell you, and the view, why, we could see miles and miles; if we had had a glass, I believe we could have heard people talking at York." Whereat, in the fashion of young people, all laughed as heartily as if Peggy had said something really funny. While they stood there, Herbert was looking nervously at his watch. "Excuse me, but I really think--" Carlotta, after the manner of sisters, laughed derisively. "Listen! I believe he wishes to make an original remark." Herbert was farther off than the others and had not heard just what Carlotta said. "If we are not careful," he said again, looking at his watch, "we shall miss the boat." "There," said Carlotta, "I told you that he was going to make an original remark." This time Herbert heard her words, and when all laughed except Martine, he reddened deeply. "It's better to be early than late," remarked Martine consolingly; "I've often missed a boat or a train just by thinking I had plenty of time." Herbert turned gratefully towards Martine and walked back with her to the hotel. As a matter of fact they had half an hour to spare and were able to say good-bye to all their acquaintances without undue haste. The return trip was unexciting, and they reached Portsmouth in good spirits just in season to get the Ferry for Kittery. As they came to their special car, "Here's your admirer," said Peggy mischievously to Martine. "What do you mean?" asked Martine. "Why, the conductor; didn't you notice him coming over? Carlotta did." "Yes," added Carlotta, "I certainly thought he was going to speak to you." "Nonsense!" said Martine. "Do you know him?" whispered Peggy mischievously, as the car speeded along the Kittery shore. "I haven't even looked at him," replied Martine indignantly. "Herbert has had charge of the fares, and as the conductor stands on the back platform, and as I have no eyes in the back of my head, I couldn't recognize him even if he were an old friend." Later, however, as the young man moved along and stood for a while beside the motorman, Martine had a chance to see him, though it was only a back view. "Carlotta," she said, "that conductor does remind me of some one. I wonder if it's any one we know at home? Do you see a resemblance? A resemblance to any one you know?" "No," said Carlotta, "really I do not." And so the matter dropped. It was nearly dusk when Martine and Clare left the car at the turn of the road.