an account of Miss Bibby's eccentricities of
diet, of which Kinross soon knew all that seemed worth knowing. At first
he had hardly listened as the irrepressibles chattered away, or he might
have bidden them respect the lady's idiosyncrasies. But a sudden image
confronted him of the figure in limp muslin, solemnly skipping for the
good of her health, and he gave a great roar of laughter and vowed to
himself he would use her for "copy" some day.

But now they were at the shops and Lynn and Max were greatly excited.

They pointed out the different places to him.

This was Benson's, and he made the most _delicious_ drop cakes that ever
were; they always bought some when they were going for picnics, and
gen'ally on a Saturday, when Anna had no time to make cakes, they had
them again. Hugh was solemnly warned not to be beguiled into dealing
with Dunks. Dunks did give, it was true, nine for sixpence; but then
Pauline had measured them once with Miss Bibby's tape measure--measured
them "longways, and broadways, and fatways," and Benson's had been fully
half an inch superior.

These were the two photographers. It was advisable to deal with this
one, for he always gave you the whole tray down to choose from when you
went to buy picture post-cards, and the other man didn't, 'cause he was
afraid your hands were dirty. But they never were when you went for a
walk, only Max's sometimes, because he still fell down a lot (this point
Max contested hotly).

These were the two shoe-makers: if you broke the strap of your sandals
this one could fix it best; but if you wore out your climbing shoes,
and wanted a new pair made, it was advisable to patronize this one.

And _these_ were the grocers. Poor old Septimus Smith would have stirred
uncomfortably in the dreams that still held him, could he have heard
Lynn and Max vigorously advising Burunda's latest stranger never on any
pretence whatever to buy as much as half a pound of butter at his
establishment.

And Octavius, sleepily sweeping his shop and doing the manifold duties
of little Larkin, who was fast nearing the poor selection for his
dearly-earned holiday,--Octavius would himself have been amazed at the
number of good points his business had. His currants--how _much_ cleaner
than the currants of Septimus,--his bacon--words seemed inadequate to
describe his bacon. He gave you a whole penny box of chocolates each
when you went with Anna to pay his bill. He saved you the tinfoil