" I was expecting you," she said, laughing, and making place
in the hammock by her side, which I accepted with the most de
corous alacrity.
"I am glad to hear you say so," I replied. " I hope the other
young ladies will not think me bold in presuming upon such a
slight acquaintance."
" Never fear," said she, " They, like myself, will think of it
as the jolliest sort of a lark." I thought so, too.
" But where are your companions ?" I inquired.
caught even a glimpse of them since I came." •
" Oh," said she, " they have gone to Edenton on their wheels
for the mail. They'll be back presently."
" And you are here all alone ?" I asked, in some surprise.
" Oh, goodness, no; there's Mrs. Pingry—our chaperone—and
yourself."
I glanced around, half expecting to see the old lady seated
somewhere conveniently near, where she could keep a watchful
eye on her charming protegee.
" Oh, you'll not see her," said my vis-a-vis. "We led her
such a chase, tip hill and down dale, this afternoon that she de
clares she is completely exhausted. I guess she took to her ham
mock just after tea."
" Doesn't your conscience hurt you?" I asked, reproachfully.
" Oh, dear, no; mine isn't of the New England type," she re
replied. " Besides, she needn't have gone along. Anyhow, it
has taught the dear old soul a lesson."
" She is not very strict with you," I ventured.
" Not very. We're all so dignified in her presence that she has
a world of confidence in us."
At that moment I caught the sound of laughing voices, and
glancing down toward the lake I descried the bicycle lamps of the
three other girls flitting along toward us. It was already rather
dark, and as they approached the foremost cried out,
" Ho, Dolly—Dolly, here's a letter from Tylerton for you. I
suppose he loves you as well as ever." Then, as she observed me,
" I beg pardon, I did not know that Camp Chesuncook had a
visitor."
My companion laughed merrily. " Come here, girls," she com
manded, " and meet our benefactor of yesterday."
They came up slowly and hesitatingly, btft under the witchery-
HER BROTHER'S SISTER
" I haven't