“Do the Indians bring you the bass?” “No, we catch ’em ourselves. The biggest one we had this summer was caught by our boarder, Mr. Mahan.” “Which Mr. Mahan?” “Oh, his first name was Marvin. You don’t know him.” “But we do!” A telltale flush began to dawn on Jean’s cheeks. “Why, you see, Mr. Mahan came along and camped on my island this summer for five whole days.” “He has camped upstairs,” smiled Mrs. Hogg, “for many a week-end. But we have seen little of him since James went to Chicago to work for Mr. Asher Ferry.” “Aunt Susan, I’ve seen Mr. Ferry’s yacht and I’ve seen his daughter. She is awfully pretty.” “Yes, Gratia is beautiful.” “Oh, is that her name?” Kate, wondering whether the lecturer’s fee was balm for a wound inflicted or hope for future favors, changed the conversation. “Mrs. Hogg, is what was printed in the local paper last evening true?” “Why, yes. Miss Coggeshall is referring to an article that some impertinent correspondent has written about my husband’s family. My son is not aware that that curious old cabinet over there was made by a Huguenot ancestor in Southampton.” After dinner the party retired to the porch but not until Mrs. Hogg had gone to the old cabinet and taken thence a document and a tiny box. “Jean, when I heard you were coming to Wickford today, I sent to the bank and bought another gold piece.” “Why, thank you very much, aunt Susan. Here’s a kiss for you, right on your pink cheek.” “And now, Jean, if you don’t mind, I am going to ask your father some questions about business.” Ambrose Rich chuckled. “No, Susan. Something’s happened to you.” “Miss Kate,” cried Jean, “they’re going to fight. Let’s you and me run away. Come and wander with me in the gloaming.” “Miss Jean,” said the educator with dignity, “I have not only wandered with youth in the gloaming, but my whole bulk has been lifted off my feet, and I was kissed in mid-air.” “Well, I can’t do that, but I have lifted a whole man into a boat.” When they were out of sight, Mrs. Hogg began to talk. “I want to ask you about these shares of the Upper Peninsula Development Company. It is an old one, formed in the time of the Civil War. It made a good deal of money for my father-in-law, but I wish to know whether it is worth anything now. Here is a map that came with it long ago.” Ambrose Rich took the map and studied it in the light that came through the window. “I can’t answer your question, but there are both iron and copper in that region. Who holds the controlling interest?” “Lord Fortinbras, the famous yachtsman. He is very old now, and I think his son is dead. Whether there are grandchildren I don’t know, but they say that a Fortinbras never sells anything.” “Well, I advise you to keep it for James. Pray tell me something about him.” That was invitation enough for Susan, and she proceeded to recount her son’s successes at some length, until after fifteen minutes she heard Kate Coggeshall’s voice calling from the darkness.