When we reached the wharf, Mr. Vandermarck, after disposing of the
baggage, gave his arm to me, and took me to an open wagon which was
waiting for us. He put me in the seat beside him, and took the reins
with a look of pleasure.

"These are Tom and Jerry, Miss Pauline," he said, "about the
pleasantest members of the family; at least they contribute more to my
pleasure than any other members of it. I squandered about half my income
on them a year or two ago, and have not repented yet; though, indeed,
repentance isn't in my way. I shall hope for the happiness of giving you
many drives with them, if I am permitted."

"Nothing could make me happier, I am sure."

"Richard hasn't any horses, though he can afford it much better than I
can. He does his driving, when he is here, with the carriage-horses that
we keep for Sophie--a dull old pair of brutes. He disapproves very much
of Tom and Jerry; but you see it would never do to have two such wise
heads in one family."

"It would destroy the balance of power in the neighborhood."

"Decidedly; as it is, we are a first-class power, owing to Sophie's
cleverness and Richard's prudence; my prodigality is just needed to keep
us from overrunning the county and proclaiming an empire at the next
town meeting. How do you like Sophie, Miss d'Estree? I know you haven't
seen much of her--but what you have? Isn't she clever, and isn't she a
pretty woman to be nearly thirty-five?"

I was feeling very grateful for my invitation, and so I said a great
deal of my admiration for his sister.

"Everybody likes her," he said, complacently. "I don't know a more
popular person anywhere. She is the life of the neighborhood; people
come to her for everything, if they want to get a new door-mat for the
school-house, or if they want a new man nominated for the legislature. I
think she's awfully bored, sometimes, but she keeps it to herself. But
though the summer is her rest, she always does enough to tire out
anybody else. Now, for instance, she is going to have three young ladies
with her for the next two months (besides yourself, Miss d'Estree), whom
she will have to be amusing all the time, and some friends of mine who
will turn the house inside out. But Sophie never grumbles."

"Tell me about them all," I said, consuming with a fever of curiosity.

"O, I forgot you did not know them. Shall I begin with the young
ladies?--(Sam, there's a stone in Jerry's off fore-foot; get down and
look abo