girl tried to sell cameos carved
in lava, throwing them on to the laps of the passengers as they sat in
the train. Irene, who was beginning to learn Italian methods of
purchase, commenced to bargain with her for a quaintly cut mascot,
reducing the price asked lira by lira till at length, when the conductor
blew his brass horn, she finally got it for exactly half of what was at
first demanded.

"And quite enough too," said Miss Morley, who had watched the business
with amusement. "She's probably more than satisfied, and will go dancing
home to her mother. Let me look, Irene? This funny little hunchback is
always considered the 'luck' of Vesuvius. I believe he's copied from a
model found in Pompeii. He's the true mascot of the mountain. Yes, he's
quite a pretty little curio and well worth having."

"I wish I'd had any money left to buy one with," sighed Peachy.

The train was speeding downhill now, leaving ashes and lava behind, and
heading for the bright bay where the sun was shining on the sea. Seen
from above against a gray background of olives and other trees not yet
in leaf, the blossoming peaches and apricots had a filmy fairy look most
beautiful to behold. Behind frowned the great volcano still belching out
clouds of smoke.

"I've a different impression of old Vesuvius now I've seen his heart,"
said Peachy, looking back for a last farewell view.

"He still seems full of mischief, but I'm glad he played no tricks while
we were up there," commented Delia.

"It's certainly one of the sights of the world, and I'm glad I've seen
it," said Lorna. "Yes, I don't mind telling you I was scared when these
explosions kept popping off. I thought it was going to erupt and give us
the benefit."

Irene, when they were back at the Villa Camellia, patched up her
squabble with Peachy, whom she had offended over the rosemary incident,
and pressed the Vesuvius mascot upon her as a peace offering.

"I didn't mean to grab your flowers," she assured her. "Really, honest
Injun, I didn't."

"Why, I'd forgotten all about it," declared her light-hearted chum. "I
didn't mind a bit after my 'first mad' cooled off. Sorry if I was a
bear. No, I won't take your lucky hunchback. _Must_ I? Well, you're a
dear! I'd adore to have it. I felt absolutely green when I saw you buy
it. I'll hang him on a chain and wear him round my neck, and I expect
I'll just be a whiz at tennis to-morrow. Oh, isn't he funny? Thanks
_ever_ so! I shall keep him e