bees getting drunk on Hybla and Hymettus, you know. I'm not
responsible!"

"It's the first square meal I believe you've really eaten in six
months," said Bradley, gravely. "I can't understand why your doctor
allowed you to run down so dreadfully."

"I reckon you ain't as keerful of yourself, you Britishers, ez us," said
Minty. "Lordy! Why there's Pop invests in more patent medicines in one
day than you have in two weeks, and he'd make two of you. Mebbe your
folks don't look after you enough."

"I'm a splendid advertisement of what YOUR care and your medicines have
done," said Mainwaring, gratefully, to Mrs. Bradley; "and if you ever
want to set up a 'Cure' here, I'm ready with a ten-page testimonial."

"Have a care, Mainwaring," said Bradley, laughing, "that the ladies
don't take you at your word. Louise and Jenny have been doing their
best for the last year to get me to accept a flattering offer from
a Sacramento firm to put up a hotel for tourists on the site of The
Lookout. Why, I believe that they have already secretly in their
hearts concocted a flaming prospectus of 'Unrivalled Scenery' and
'Health-giving Air,' and are looking forward to Saturday night hops on
the piazza."

"Have you really, though?" said Mainwaring, gazing from the one to the
other.

"We should certainly see more company than we do now, and feel a little
less out of the world," said Louise, candidly. "There are no neighbors
here--I mean the people at the Summit are not," she added, with a slight
glance towards Minty.

"And Mr. Bradley would find it more profitable--not to say more suitable
to a man of his position--than this wretched saw-mill and timber
business," said Mrs. Bradley, decidedly.

Mainwaring was astounded; was it possible they considered it more
dignified for a lawyer to keep a hotel than a saw-mill? Bradley, as if
answering what was passing in his mind, said mischievously, "I'm
not sure, exactly, what my position is, my dear, and I'm afraid I've
declined the hotel on business principles. But, by the way, Mainwaring,
I found a letter at the mill this morning from Mr. Richardson. He is
about to pay us the distinguished honor of visiting The Lookout, solely
on your account, my dear fellow."

"But I wrote him that I was much better, and it wasn't necessary for him
to come," said Mainwaring.

"He makes an excuse of some law business with me. I suppose he considers
the mere fact of his taking the trouble to come here, all th