or a car!) which they had bought somewhere, second or third
hand, for a song. Even a song of sixpence would be dear for the
great-grandmother of the whole progeny of Lords! The thing must be eight
years old if it's a day, but the boys are as pleased as Punch with
their bargain. The oldest of them (Tom) thinks he has learned to manage
the poor old lady; and on the strength of his knowledge and cheek they
have hitched themselves to us as the tail end of our procession. They
announce their intention of going also to the Hudson River country, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England with us later, when we make those
trips according to plan. My heart bleeds for the poor lambs, but Jack
says they're perfectly happy, and those who don't fall by the wayside
will draw lots in the end who is to propose to Pat.

They have no money, and no hats (at least I've never seen them wear
any), and every one ignores their real names; but in their way they are
unique, and it will add to the gaiety of nations to have them along if
they're not killed before our eyes.

Speaking of the cavalcade, which I may as well describe since I'm on the
subject, Peter Storm is driving Pat's Grayles-Grice, as Papa Goodrich
says he would "as soon hire a canary bird to tame a mad bull as let that
little slim Miss Moore pilot his family in a man-sized motor car." It
seems that our soldier of fortune, P. S., was a chauffeur once for a
year. He seems to have been most things, and I'm less than ever able to
classify him. But whatever he is or may have been, if I hadn't fallen in
love with Jack once and for all, I _might_ have fallen in love with
Peter Storm. There's something _very_ queer about his past, that's
evident; and only his conscience or bump of prudence prevents him from
letting himself go on the tide of love for Pat. I see him looking at her
now and then--an extraordinary look! But all his looks are
extraordinary. I'd give anything almost if he'd confide in me.
Perhaps he will. Lots of people do.

[Illustration: EASTHAMPTON "You enter beside the Great Pond, which is so
charming in itself and in its flat frame of village green"]

Meanwhile, Pat sits by him in the seat next the chauffeur's seat, and
watches what he does and asks questions. He has persuaded Papa Goodrich
to consent to her driving in easy places. But there are few easy places,
because there are too many people enjoying this beautiful island, and
just missing you by a miracle at corners.