"Ho! I notiz them an' they notiz me! An' thass one thing I 'ave notiz about young ladies: they ah juz like those bird'; in summeh lookin' cool, in winteh waum. I 'ave notiz that. An' I've notiz anotheh thing which make them juz like those bird'. They halways know if a man is lookin', an' they halways make like they don't see 'im! I would like to 'ite an i'ony about that--a lill i'ony--in the he'oic measuh. You like that he'oic measuh, Mizzez Witchlin'?" As he rose to go he rolled a cigarette, and folded the end in with the long nail of his little finger. "Mizzez Witchlin', if you will allow me to light my ciga'ette fum yo' lamp--I can't use my sun-glass at night, because the sun is nod theh. But, the sun shining, I use it. I 'ave adop' that method since lately." "You borrow the sun's rays," said Mary, with wicked sweetness. "Yes; 'tis cheapeh than matches in the longue 'un." "You have discovered that, I suppose," remarked John. "Me? The sun-glass? No. I believe Ahchimides invend that, in fact. An' yet, out of ten thousan' who use the sun-glass only a few can account 'ow tis done. 'Ow did you think that that's my invention, Mistoo Itchlin? Did you know that I am something of a chimist? I can tu'n litmus papeh 'ed by juz dipping it in SO_3HO. Yesseh." "Yes," said Richling, "that's one thing that I have noticed, that you're very fertile in devices." "Yes," echoed Mary, "I noticed that, the first time you ever came to see us. I only wish Mr. Richling was half as much so." She beamed upon her husband. Narcisse laughed with pure pleasure. "Well, I am compel' to say you ah co'ect. I am continually makin' some discove'ies. 'Necessity's the motheh of inventions.' Now thass anotheh thing I 'ave notiz--about that month of Octobeh: it always come befo' you think it's comin'. I 'ave notiz that about eve'y month. Now, to-day we ah the twennieth Octobeh! Is it not so?" He lighted his cigarette. "You ah compel' to co'obo'ate me." CHAPTER XXX. LIGHTING SHIP. Yes, the tide was coming in. The Richlings' bark was still on the sands, but every now and then a wave of promise glided under her. She might float, now, any day. Meantime, as has no doubt been guessed, she was held on an even keel by loans from the Doctor. "Why you don't advertise in papers?" asked Ristofalo. "Advertise? Oh, I didn't think it would be of any use. I advertised a whole week, last summer." "You put advertisement in wrong time and keep it out wrong time," said the Italian. "I have a place in prospect, now, without advertising," said Richling, with an elated look.