“Yes, _indeed_; but you know they’re so full of _fun_ they couldn’t stick to anything serious, and Miss Vincent sang some coon songs. O Laura, that girl is _wonderfully_ talented. She made Mr. Derwent laugh as hard as the boys. _Splendid_-looking man, Mr. Derwent. I really—I expect I’m a silly old thing, but I couldn’t _help_ weaving _romances_ out in that boat, those four delightful young people were so _tempting_ to the _imagination_.” “Really?” asked Mrs. Bruce. “How did you pair them off in your own mind?” “I didn’t have to pair them off,” twittered the little woman. “Irving was beside that _charming_ young creature with the gold crown,—you know the way that broad soft braid goes around her head,—he was beside her all the time. I just _hoped_ she appreciated his attentions; but do you know I watched them _closely_, and I never saw her look at him _once_! She was pleasant and gay all the time,—but I just said to myself, can—it—be _possible_ that that girl is more attracted by our droll Nixie than by that _prince_? I’ve often heard you say you dreaded Irving’s falling in love; you’ve always been so like brother and sister, it isn’t to be wondered at; but when Mr. Nixon told me what a good _angel_ you’d been to that talented girl, I thought I could _see_ that you had your little plans!” Lavinia Frost closed one eye, and nodded knowingly at her cousin, whose flushed face disclosed nothing. “I told him that was the way you’d gone through _life_. I told him about the stove you gave me for my living-room, and now what a grand outing you were giving me here, and so thoughtfully letting me feel myself of some _use_. O Laura, it’s a splendid thing to be rich and powerful, but it’s better still to have that big heart and soul that _uses_ the power to spread _blessings_ along the paths of others less fortunate!” Mrs. Bruce kept silent. Miss Frost washed the cream from her hands and began winding up her sparse hair. “It’s awfully thin, you see. Not much more than nine hairs, Laura,” she laughed, “three behind to braid, and one on each side to puff. I don’t _want_,” she continued after a silence, “to see anything you don’t _wish_ me to, but I _could_—not—help—thinking that Irving admired that girl _extremely_; and though I know you’re above such considerations, I couldn’t help being _glad_ she was well-connected as well as beautiful. One of the Derwent family. Think of it! Mr. Nixon told me so, and it was plain to see that Mr. Derwent thinks the world of her. Such an elegant man! And what do you suppose he said to me, Laura? As we were leaving the boat he said with such a _charming_ bow—perfectly _charming_! He said, ‘I think in some way you have been given the wrong _name_, Miss Frost. _I_ think it should be Miss _Spring_!” Lavinia gave a joyous but apologetic giggle. “Wasn’t that a perfectly _lovely_ thing for him to say?” Mrs. Bruce regarded the speaker thoughtfully. “Lavinia,” she said, “how should you like to stay with me?”