ed
with the cheery good nature proper in such a party of young folks. Mike
was at his best, and kept all laughing by his drollery. Nora's merriment
filled the room with music. Michael had given his name soon after his
entrance into the store, but insisted that the way to pronounce it was
"Mike," not "Michael."

"I never knew such a funny person," said Nora, after one of his quaint
remarks. "Mother and I took to him from the first."

"I find it's a common wakeness whereiver I go," said Mike gravely.

"We find him fairly good company," said Alvin. "He seems to have been
born that way and we can hardly blame him."

"He tries our patience very much," added Chester, "but we have learned to
bear the affliction."

"I wish you all lived in Beartown," said Nora impulsively, "and that Mike
would call to see us every day."

"Whisht, now," said he, lowering his voice. "Whin I strolled through the
town on me arrival, I was so chaarmed I began hunting fur a house and
property to buy fur me home. I sthruck the right spot and made an offer
to the owner of the same. I think we'll come to tarms, being there's only
a difference of a thrifle of five or six thousand dollars in the price."

Mrs. Friestone now appeared with word that supper was waiting, and all
passed into the kitchen and dining room. Of course she presided, Nora
acting as waitress whenever necessary. Alvin and Chester complimented
their hostess on the excellence of the meal, while Mike was so
extravagant in his praise that they protested. Alvin told the particulars
of their trip in the launch from home to Wiscasset and return, omitting
of course all reference to Stockham Calvert that would give a hint of his
profession and his purpose in making what looked like an aimless ramble
through this portion of Maine. The Captain was assured that his boat
would not be disturbed where it lay moored under the bank, and he and
Chester gave no further thought to it.

The group lingered long at the table, and at the close of the meal Nora
preceded them to the parlor, were she excused herself in order to help
her mother in washing the dishes and clearing away things. The work was
finished sooner than the friends expected, and the happy party gathered
in the parlor.

The presence of the musical instrument made its own suggestion, and the
lads insisted that Nora should favor them with a song or two. She had the
good taste to comply after a modest protest, and gave them a treat. Her