s_ jolly. And Jessie--Mrs. Carrick--is the best fun in the world.
And you are sure to like my little sister Cecile; every man adores her,
and you'll do it, too--yes, I mean sentimentally--until she laughs you
out of it."

"Like yourself, Calypso, I'm not inclined to sentiment," he said.

"You can't help it with Cecile. Wait! Then there are others to lunch
with us--Marjorie Staines--very popular with men, and Stephanie
Anan--you studied with her uncle, Winslow Anan, didn't you?"

"Yes, indeed!" he exclaimed warmly, "but how did you--"

"Oh, I knew it; I know lots about you, you see.... Then there is Phil
Gatewood--a perfectly splendid fellow, and Alex Anan--a dear boy, ready
to adore any girl who looks sideways at him.... I don't remember who
else is to lunch with us, except my brother Gray. Look, Mr. Hamil!
They've actually sat down to luncheon without waiting for us! What
horrid incivility! Could your watch have been wrong?--or have we been
too deeply absorbed?"

"I can speak for one of us," he said, as they came out upon the lawn in
full view of the table which was spread under the most beautiful
live-oaks he had ever seen.

* * * * *

Everybody was very friendly. Gray Cardross, a nice-looking boy who wore
spectacles, collected butterflies, and did not look like a "speed-mad
cub," took Hamil to the house, whither Shiela had already retired for
an ante-prandial toilet; but there is no dust in that part of the world,
and his preparations were quickly made.

"Awfully glad you came," repeated young Cardross with all the excessive
cordiality of the young and unspoiled. "Father has been checking off the
days on the calendar since your letter saying you were coming by way of
Nassau. The Governor is dying to begin operations on that jungle yonder.
When we camp I'm going--and probably Shiela is--she began clamoring to
go two weeks ago. We all had an idea that you were a rather feeble old
gentleman--like Mr. Anan--until Shiela brought us the picture they
published of you in the paper two weeks ago; and she said immediately
that if you were young enough to camp she was old enough to go too.
She's a good shot, Mr. Hamil, and she won't interfere with your
professional duties--"

"I should think not!" said Hamil cordially; "but--as for my
camping--there's really almost nothing left for me to do except to
familiarise myself with the character of your wilderness. Your father
tells me he has t