"Diana's away--on business in the city. That's why I'm free to do as I please to-day." "Are you free to do as you please----?" He seized his opportunity. "Then come up to the shed and see my air-ship. We can have a little flight across the harbor." She shook her head. "Oh, I can't. I have an engagement with Captain Stubbs and Miss Matthews. We are going fishing in the captain's boat, and have lunch on the rocks later." Justin looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then he said, "Three's a crowd. You ought to have four." "Are you asking--to be invited?" "Please----" "But it's Captain Stubbs' party." "I am perfectly sure that if you'll give me a certificate of good character Captain Stubbs will take me aboard." She seemed to be summing up the situation. "I'm not sure," she said, at last, "that you'd fit in----" "Why not?" "Oh, the captain's old-fashioned, and Miss Matthews is old-fashioned, and I love them both, and so I don't care. But you don't love them." He flushed. "I see. You're afraid that I'll make them feel uncomfortable. I am sorry you should think that. I'm not quite a cad, you know." There were sparks in his eyes. He wondered that he should be so angry. But he was desperately angry with this cool little creature who didn't seem to care. And now she was passing frigid judgment on his blazing words. "Of course you aren't a cad. I didn't say you were. But you aren't like Bobbie Tucker or Dr. Blake. They have always known these people, and they understand them. There are no class distinctions in a town like this, you know----" "Have I seemed such a prig to you?" She cocked her head on one side and considered him, "Not since I talked to Mrs. Martens about you. She told me how nice you were in Germany." In Germany; ye gods! Was he nice only in _Germany_? He stared at her blankly. He had a feeling that he would like to shake her; that he would like to--kiss her. In the midst of her conflicting emotions little Miss Matthews arrived, and behind her steamed Captain Stubbs. Justin, murmuring inarticulately, acknowledged the introduction to the captain, and greeted Miss Matthews. Miss Matthews was very prim and trim in a white shirt-waist and stiff collar. She had a gray sweater over her arm, and a green veil was tied over her soft felt hat. She carried in her hand a brown Boston bag, the contents of which she explained to Bettina. "I told the captain I would bring some home-made pickles." Justin gave immediate attention. "Miss Matthews," he said, "do you mean to say that you three will eat fish chowder and home-made pickles, and that I shan't be there?" The little captain, in a glow of hospitality, said heartily, "Now, look here; can't you come with us?" Justin showed his white teeth in a flashing smile. "It's an invitation that I've been fishing for all the morning, but Miss Dolce won't ask me." "Don't you want him?" the little captain demanded of Bettina.