"That girl is worth all the adoration a man can waste on her," he thought. "I don't know that he is such a fool at that." "What a summer, Veronica!" exclaimed Miss Burridge when she found that Charles Wilbur was going to eat mackerel and sweet potatoes at her table that noon. "Some do have greatness thrust upon them, Aunt Priscilla. First the arrival of Prince Herbert, then King Charles himself." "Yes, my knees feel kind o' queer, Veronica, and I think we'd better have the lobster salad this noon instead of saving it for night." The other boarders eliminated themselves, so that the Wilbur family could occupy the piazza after dinner. Mr. Wilbur had praised the cooking and Veronica had carried the good report to the kitchen. He sat now with his wife and daughter, one on each side of him, and, as he smoked his cigar, looked off on the glory that is Casco Bay. "You're pretty nearly on a boat here, aren't you?" he said. "It is the most wonderful place in the world," said Diana fervently. He turned to her and pinched her chin. The excited color that had risen in her happy surprise had faded. "You're not a good advertisement for it," he said. "You didn't eat anything at dinner and you look as if you had been up all night." "I do think Diana feels the effect of all the excitement she went through in Boston," said Mrs. Wilbur; and forthwith she proceeded to tell the story of the grandson of her husband's old friend, and Diana's part in it. He had met the boy at table and he listened with absorbed interest. "Well, little girl, well," he said kindly, "that was some experience. You'll have to brace up now." "Oh, I'm going to, Daddy, and I want to purchase some of this island. I love it here. It inspires me." "Better hold on," was the quiet response. "Why not take this place next summer? Engage Miss Burridge as cook and housekeeper, then bring some guests and run up here for a week or so, off and on, when you feel like it." "That might be pleasant," returned Diana. Her father smiled and patted her. "You are not always going to be a tired schoolgirl. Home may hold out more attractions next summer than you think." "You don't know the rocks and the walks here yet, Daddy," said Diana wistfully. "How many walks shall I have to take before you are ready to go back with me?" "Of course we're going back with Daddy," said Mrs. Wilbur warningly. "You like the yacht, don't you, Diana?" he asked. "Indeed, I do. It was only that you were going to have such gay people this summer, and I couldn't be gay." "I understand, dear. I've ditched the gay people now, and we will have a family party only, going back." "That will be delightful," replied Diana.