en heard her say; while mine died before I was born, and
mother lost her reason when I was a little thing."

But Betty was not much given to melancholy musing, or indeed to musing
of any kind; a passing sail presently attracted her attention and turned
her thoughts into a new channel.

And soon, the wind and tide being favorable, the yacht drew near her
destination.

There was no wharf, but the passengers were taken to the shore, a few at
a time, in the dory. It also landed provision baskets and the clams.

Those ladies and gentlemen to whom clam-bakes were a new experience
watched with interest the process of cooking the bivalves.

A pit of suitable size for the quantity to be prepared was made in the
sand, the bottom covered with stones; it was then heated by a fire
kindled in it, the brands were removed, seaweed spread over the stones,
the clams poured in, abundance of seaweed piled over and about them, a
piece of an old sail put over that, and they were left to bake or steam,
while another fire was kindled near by, and a large tin bucket, filled
with water, set on it to boil for making coffee.

While some busied themselves with these culinary operations, others
repaired to the dwelling, which stood some little distance back from the
beach, the ground sloping gently away from it to the water's edge.

The lady of the house met them at the door, and hospitably invited them
to come in and rest themselves in her parlor, or sit on the porch; and
understanding their errand to the locality, not only gave ready
permission for their table to be spread in the shade of her house, but
offered to lend anything they might require in the way of utensils.

Accepting her offer, they set to work, the men making a rough sort of
impromptu table with some boards, and the ladies spreading upon it the
contents of the provision baskets.

Mrs. Dinsmore, Elsie and the younger ladies of their party, offered to
assist in these labors, but were told that they were considered guests,
and must be content to look on or wander about and amuse themselves.

There was not much to be seen but grassy slopes destitute of tree or
shrub, and the harbor and open sea beyond.

They seated themselves upon the porch of the dwelling-house, while
Captain Raymond and the younger members of their family party wandered
here and there about the place.

There seemed to be some sport going on among the cooks--those engaged in
preparing the coffee.

Lulu h