“Reasons enough,” said Farnsworth, briefly. “Cross off Van Reypen. Now, who for our last man?” “Peyton,” said Jim. “Bob Peyton would love to go, and he’s a good all-’round chap. How’s that, Bill?” “All right, Patty?” and Bill looked inquiringly at her. “Yes, indeed. Mr. Peyton’s a jolly man. Do you think he’d go, Adele?” “Like a shot!” Kenerley replied, for his wife. “Bob’s rather gone on Patty, if you know what I mean.” “Who _isn’t_ gone on Patty?” returned Farnsworth. “Well, that’s a round dozen. Enough!” “Plenty,” Patty decreed. And then the talk turned to matters of trains and meetings and luggage. “I’ll arrange everything for the picnic,” said Bill. “You girls see about your clothes and that’s all you need bother about. You’ll want warmish togs, it gets cool up there after sundown. Remember, it’s Maine!” Patty and Adele at once began to discuss what to take, and Patty made a list to send to Nan for immediate shipment. “What an enormous piece of humanity that Chicky is!” said Patty, suddenly remembering the stranger. “Do you know him, Jim?” “Yes; known him for years. He’s true blue, every inch of him. Don’t you like him, Patty?” “Can’t say yet. I only saw him half a jiffy. But, yes, I’m sure I shall like him. Bill says he’s salt of the earth.” “He’s all of that. And maybe a little pepper, as well. But you and old Chick will be chums, I promise you. Now we’ll pack you two girls off to Fern Falls, and I’ll do a few man’s size errands, and Bill, here, will make his will and dispose of his estate, before going off into the wilderness with a horde of wild Indians. Then tomorrow, he’ll pick us up at Fern Falls, and we’ll all go on our way rejoicing.” “Not so fast,” said Adele, after Jim finished his speech. “You two men can go where you like, Patty and I will take a taxi, and do some last fond lingering bits of shopping, before we go home. Don’t you s’pose we want some shoes and veils and——” “Sealing-wax?” asked Farnsworth, laughing. “All right, you ladies go and buy your millinery, and I’ll see you again tomorrow on the train.” * * * * * As might have been expected, with such capable management, everything went on smoothly, and it was a clear, bright afternoon when they completed the last stage of their journey, and the train from Portland set them down at their destination. Not quite at their destination, however, for motorbuses were in waiting to take them to the hotel itself. For more than an hour they bumped or glided over the varying roads, now through woods, and now through clearing. At last, a vista suddenly opened before them, and they saw a most picturesque lake, its dark waters touched here and there by the setting sun. It was bordered by towering pines and spruces, and purple hills rose in the distance.