whole party was healthy, happy,
and in the best of spirits. Then came the leave-takings. The two young
ladies and the gentleman sped away upon the train, while the middle-aged
lady started for home in her carriage, telling herself a dozen times on
the way that she knew she would be lonesomer than ever when she got
there.

The trip by train and boat was uneventful. Alice sat quietly and enjoyed
the salt sea breeze, while both Quincy and Rosa entertained her with
descriptions of the bits of land and various kinds of sailing craft that
came in sight. It was nearly seven o'clock when the steamer rounded
Brant Point. In a short time it was moored to the wharf, and the party,
with their baggage, were conveyed swiftly to Mrs. Gibson's, that lady
having been notified by Quincy to expect them at any moment. He did not
enter the house. He told Miss Very to address him care of his aunt if
they needed anything, and that Mr. Ernst and himself would come down
when Miss Pettengill had completed two or three chapters of her book.
Quincy then bade them good-by and was driven to a modest hotel close to
the steamboat wharf. He took the morning boat to Boston, and that
afternoon informed Aunt Ella of the safe arrival of his fair charges.

"What are you going to do now?" asked Aunt Ella.

"I'm going to find my father," replied Quincy, "and through him secure
introductions to the other members of my family."

"Good-by," said Aunt Ella; "if they don't treat you well come and stay
with me and we will go to Old Orchard together about the first of June.
I never skip out the last of April, because I always enjoy having a talk
with the assessor when he comes around in May."

When Rosa took her seat at the new desk next morning, she exclaimed with
delight, "What a nice husband Mr. Sawyer would make!"

"What makes you think so?" inquired Alice gravely.

"Because he'd be such a good hand to go shopping," Rosa answered. "I've
been all over this desk twice and I don't believe he has forgotten a
single thing that we are likely to need."

"Good work requires good tools," remarked Alice.

"And a good workman," interposed Rosa.

"Then we have every adjunct for success," said Alice, "and we will
commence just where we left off at Mrs. Chessman's."

The work on the book progressed famously. Alice was in fine mental
condition and Rosa seemingly took as much interest in its progress as
did her employer. In three weeks the three opening chapters ha