A big two-horsed vehicle, the “barge” from the Manonquit House, had stopped before the door. It was filled with a gay crowd, youths and maidens from the hotel, dressed in spotless flannels and “blazers,” all talking at once, and evidently carefree and happy. Two of the masculine members of the party descended from the “barge” and entered the store. Daniel, smiling his sweetest, stepped forward to meet them. “Good mornin', good mornin',” he said. “A fine mornin', ain't it?” The greeting was acknowledged by both of the young fellows, and one of them added that it was a fine morning, indeed. “Don't know as I ever saw a finer,” observed Daniel. “Off on a cruise somewhere, I presume likely; hey?” “Picnic down at the Point.” “Well, you've got picnic weather, all right. Yes sir, you have!” Comment concerning the weather is the inevitable preliminary to all commercial transactions in Trumet. Now, preliminaries being over, Daniel waited hopefully for what was to follow. His hopes were dashed. “Is--is Miss Dott about?” inquired one of the callers. “Miss Dott? Oh, Gertie! No, she ain't. She's gone down street somewheres. Be back pretty soon, I shouldn't wonder.” “Humph! Well, I'm afraid we can't wait. We hoped she might go with us on the picnic. We--er--we wanted her very much.” “That so? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid she couldn't go, even if she was here. You see, it's her last day at home, and--we--her mother and I--that is, I don't believe she'd want to leave us to-day.” “No; no, of course not. Well, tell her we wish she might have come, but we understand. Yes, yes,” in answer to the calls from the “barge,” “we're coming. Well, good by, Captain Dott.” “Er--good by. Er--er--don't want anything to take along, do you? A nice box of candy, or--or anything?” “No, I think not. We stopped at the Emporium just now, and loaded up with candy enough to last a week. Good morning.” “How are you fixed for sun hats and things? I've got a nice line of hats and--well, good by.” “Good by.” The “barge” moved off. Daniel, standing dejectedly in the door, remembered his manners.