Mr. Langham chose Lone House for his habitation. He liked the little balcony that thrust out over the lake between the two pine-trees. And by the time that his guests were due to arrive, he had established himself, almost, in the affections of the entire family. "He may be greedy," said Arthur, "but he's the most courteous man that ever 'sat at meat among ladies'!" "He's got the kindest heart," said Mary, "that ever beat." VII Mr. Langham's five guests arrived somewhat noisily, smoking five long cigars. Lee and Gay, watching the float from a point of vantage, where they themselves were free from observation, observed that three of the trout fishermen were far older than they had led themselves to expect. "That leaves only one for us," said Gay. "Why?" "Can't you see from here that the fifth is an Englishman?" "Yes," said Lee. "His clothes don't fit, and yet he feels perfectly comfortable in them." "It isn't so much the clothes," said Gay, "as the face. The other faces are excited because they have ridden fast in a fast boat, though they've probably often done it before. Now he's probably never been in a fast boat in his life till to-day, and yet he looks thoroughly bored." The Englishman without changing his expression made some remark to the other five. They roared. The Englishman blushed, and looked vaguely toward a dark-blue mountain that rose with some grandeur beyond the farther shore of the lake. "Do you suppose," said Lee, "that what he said was funny or just dumb?" "I think it was funny," said Gay, "but purely accidental." "I think I know the other youth," said Lee; "I think I have danced with him. Didn't Mr. Langham say there was a Renier among his guests?" "H. L.," Gay assented. "That's the one," Lee remembered. "Harry Larkins Renier. We have danced. If he doesn't remember, he shall be snubbed. I like the old guy with the Mark Twain hair." "Don't you know _him_? I do. I have seen his picture often. He's the editor of the _Evening Star_. Won't Arthur be glad!" "What's his name?" "Walter Leyden O'Malley. He's the literary descendant of the great Dana. Don't talk to me, child; I know a great deal." Gay endeavored to assume the look of an encyclopædia and failed. "Mr. Langham," said Lee, "mentioned three other names, Alston, Pritchard, and Cox. Which do you suppose is which?" "I think that Pritchard is the very tall one who looks like a Kentucky colonel; Cox is the one with the very large face; of course, the Englishman is Alston." "I don't." "We can find out from Maud." When the new arrivals, escorted by Arthur and Mr. Langham, had left the office, Lee and Gay hurried in to look at their signatures and to consult Maud as to identities.