ed into the wild Superior country where the
wealth lies under the rock instead of above it. To Desire, her first
glimpse of the Great Lake was like a glimpse of home. The coolness of
the air was grateful after prairie heat but, scarcely had she welcomed
back the smell of pine and fir, before it, too, was left behind and
they swung swiftly into a softer land--a land of rolling fields and
fences and farmhouses; of little towns, with tree-lined roads; of
streams less noisy and more disciplined; of fat cows drowsy in the
growing heat.

"This," said Aunt Caroline with a breath of proprietary satisfaction,
"is Ontario."

Desire, always literal, pointed out that according to the map in the
time-table, they had been in Ontario for some considerable time.

Aunt Caroline thought that the map was probably mistaken. "For," she
added with finality, "it was certainly not the Ontario to which I have
been accustomed."

This settled the matter for any sensible person.

"We are nearly home now," she went on kindly. "I hope you are not
feeling very nervous, my dear."

"I am not feeling nervous at all," said Desire with surprise.

Fortunately Aunt Caroline took this proof of insensibility in a
flattering light.

"Yes, yes," she said. "It is not, of course, as if you were arriving
alone. You can depend upon me entirely. John, are you sure that your
car will be in waiting?"

"I wired it to wait," grinned John. "And usually it's a good waiter."

"Because," said Aunt Caroline, "we do not wish to be delayed at the
station. If Eliza Merry weather is there, the quicker we get away the
better. I am determined that she shall be introduced to Desire exactly
when other people are and not before. Please remember that, Benis.
Introduce Desire to no one at the station. I think, my dear, we may put
on our hats."

"It's an hour yet, Aunt."

"I know, but I do not wish to be hurried."

Desire put on her hat. It was because she was always willing to give
Aunt Caroline her way in small matters that she invariably took her own
in anything that counted. It is a simple recipe and recommended to
anyone with Aunts....

"There's Potter's wood!" said Benis, who had been somewhat silent.

Desire looked out eagerly. But Potter's wood was just like any other
wood and--

"There's Sadler's Pond!" said John.

"They've cut down the old elm!" Aunt Caroline voiced deep displeasure.

"And put up a bill-board," said Benis.

Desire felt a trifle lonely