y flashed with devilment, and John
followed her. "They are going to have an explanation," I thought, as I
saw his face. If that were so, then Kitty had blundered in her strategy
and hurt Charley's cause; for after the two came Gazza, as obviously
"sent" as any emissary ever looked: Kitty took care of the singing,
while Gazza intercepted any tete-a-tete. I rose and made a fourth with
them, and even as I was drawing near, the devilment in Hortense's face
sank inward beneath cold displeasure.

I had never been a welcome person to Hortense, and she made as little
effort to conceal this as usual. Her indifferent eyes glanced at me with
drowsy insolence, and she made her beautiful, low voice as remote and
inattentive as her skilful social equipment could render it.

"It is so hot in the cabin."

This was all she had for me. Then she looked at Gazza with returning
animation.

"Oh, la la!" said Gazza. "If it is hot in the cabin!" And he flirted his
handkerchief back and forth.

"I think I had the best of it," I remarked. "All the melody and none of
the temperature."

Hortense saw no need of noticing me further

"The singer has the worst of it," said Gazza.

"But since you all sang!" I laughed.

"Miss Rieppe, she is cool," continued Gazza. "And she danced. It is not
fair."

John contributed nothing. He was by no means playing up now. He was
looking away at the shore.

Gazza hummed a little fragment. "But after lunch I will sing you good
music."

"So long as it keeps us cool," I suggested.

"Ah, no! It will not be cool music!" cried Gazza--"for those who
understand."

"Are those boys bathing?" Hortense now inquired.

We watched the distant figures, and presently they flashed into the
water.

"Oh, me!" sighed Gazza. "If I were a boy!"

Hortense looked at him. "You would be afraid." The devilment had come
out again, suddenly and brilliantly:

"I never have been afraid!" declared Gazza.

"You would not jump in after me," said Hortense, taking his measure more
and more provokingly.

Gazza laid his hand on his heart. "Where you go, I will go!"

Hortense looked at him, and laughed very slightly and lightly.

"I swear it! I swear!" protested Gazza.

John's eyes were now fixed upon Hortense.

"Would you go?" she asked him

"Decidedly not!" he returned. I don't know whether he was angry or
anxious.

"Oh, yes, you would!" said Hortense; and she jumped into the water,
cigarette and all.

"Get a boat, q