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finished our supper； when a very heavy rain set in； accompanied by
a violent wind。 The canvas at one end of our tent must have been
badly fastened； for it was blown in； and in an instant our beds
were deluged。 I rushed out to fasten up the canvas； and got
drenched almost to the skin； and although Euphemia put on her
waterproof cloak as soon as she could； she was pretty wet； for the
rain seemed to dash right through the tent。
This gust of wind did not last long； and the rain soon settled down
into a steady drizzle； but we were in a sad plight。 It was after
nine o'clock before we had put things into tolerable order。
〃We can't sleep in those beds；〃 said Euphemia。
〃They're as wet as sop； and we shall have to go up to the house and
get something to spread over them。 I don't want to do it； but we
mustn't catch our deaths of cold。〃
There was nothing to be said against this； and we prepared to start
out。 I would have gone by myself； but Euphemia would not consent
to be left alone。 It was still raining； though not very hard； and
I carried an umbrella and a lantern。 Climbing fences at night with
a wife； a lantern； and an umbrella to take care of； is not very
agreeable； but we managed to reach the house； although once or
twice we had an argument in regard to the path； which seemed to be
very different at night from what it was in the day…time。
Lord Edward came bounding to the gate to meet us； and I am happy to
say that he knew me at once； and wagged his tail in a very sociable
way。
I had the key of a side…door in my pocket； for we had thought it
wise to give ourselves command of this door； and so we let
ourselves in without ringing or waking Pomona。
All was quiet within； and we went upstairs with the lantern。
Everything seemed clean and in order； and it is impossible to
convey any idea of the element of comfort which seemed to pervade
the house； as we quietly made our way upstairs； in our wet boots
and heavy； damp clothes。
The articles we wanted were in a closet； and while I was making a
bundle of them； Euphemia went to look for Pomona。 She soon
returned； walking softly。
〃She's sound asleep；〃 said she； 〃and I didn't think there was any
need of waking her。 We'll send word by John that we've been here。
And oh！ you can't imagine how snug and happy she did look； lying
there in her comfortable bed； in that nice； airy room。 I'll tell
you what it is； if it wasn't for the neighbors； and especially the
Atkinsons； I wouldn't go back one step。〃
〃Well；〃 said I； 〃I don't know that I care so particularly about it；
myself。 But I suppose I couldn't stay here and leave all
Thompson's things out there to take care of themselves。〃
〃Oh no！〃 said Euphemia。 〃And we're not going to back down。 Are
you ready？〃
On our way down…stairs we had to pass the partly open door of our
own room。 I could not help holding up the lantern to look in。
There was the bed； with its fair white covering and its smooth；
soft pillows； there were the easy…chairs； the pretty curtains； the
neat and cheerful carpet； the bureau； with Euphemia's work…basket
on it； there was the little table with the book that we had been
reading together； turned face downward upon it； there were my
slippers； there was
〃Come！〃 said Euphemia； 〃I can't bear to look in there。 It's like a
dead child。〃
And so we hurried out into the night and the rain。 We stopped at
the wood…shed and got an armful of dry kindling； which Euphemia was
obliged to carry； as I had the bundle of bed…clothing； the
umbrella； and the lantern。
Lord Edward gave a short； peculiar bark as we shut the gate behind
us； but whether it was meant as a fond farewell； or a hoot of
derision； I cannot say。
We found everything as we left it at the camp； and we made our beds
apparently dry。 But I did not sleep well。 I could not help
thinking that it was not safe to sleep in a bed with a substratum
of wet mattress； and I worried Euphemia a little by asking her
several times if she felt the dampness striking through。
To our great delight； the next day was fine and clear； and I
thought I would like； better than anything else； to take Euphemia
in a boat up the river and spend the day rowing about； or resting
in shady places on the shore。
But what could we do about the tent？ It would be impossible to go
away and leave that； with its contents； for a whole day。
When old John came with our water； milk； bread； and a basket of
vegetables； we told him of our desired excursion； and the
difficulty in the way。 This good man； who always had a keen scent
for any advantage to himself； warmly praised the boating plan； and
volunteered to send his wife and two of his younger children to
stay with the tent while we were away。
The old woman； he said； could do her sewing here as well as
anywhere； and she would stay all day for fifty cents。
This plan pleased us； and we sent for Mrs。 Old John； who came with
three of her children；all too young to leave behind； she said；
and took charge of the camp。
Our day proved to be as delightful as we had anticipated； and when
we returned； hungry and tired； we were perfectly charmed to find
that Mrs。 Old John had our supper ready for us。
She charged a quarter； extra； for this service； and we did not
begrudge it to her； though we declined her offer to come every day
and cook and keep the place in order。
〃However；〃 said Euphemia； on second thoughts； 〃you may come on
Saturday and clean up generally。〃
The next day； which was Friday； I went out in the morning with the
gun。 As yet I had shot nothing； for I had seen no birds about the
camp； which； without breaking the State laws； I thought I could
kill； and so I started off up the river…road。
I saw no game； but after I had walked about a mile； I met a man in
a wagon。
〃Hello；〃 said he； pulling up； 〃you'd better be careful how you go
popping around here on the public roads； frightening horses。〃
As I had not yet fired a single shot； I thought this was a very
impudent speech； and I think so still。
〃You had better wait until I begin to pop；〃 said I； 〃before you
make such a fuss about it。〃
〃No；〃 said he； 〃I'd rather make the fuss before you begin。 My
horse is skittish；〃 and he drove off。
This man annoyed me； but as I did not； of course； wish to frighten
horses； I left the road and made my way back to the tent over some
very rough fields。 It was a poor day for birds； and I did not get
a shot。
〃What a foolish man！〃 said Euphemia； when I told her the above
incident； 〃to talk that way when you stood there with a gun in your
hand。 You might have raked his wagon； fore and aft。〃
That afternoon； as Euphemia and I were sitting under a tree by the
tent； we were very much surprised to see Pomona come walking down
the peninsula。
I was annoyed and provoked at this。 We had given Pomona positive
orders not to leave the place； under any pretense； while we were
gone。 If necessary to send for anything； she could go to the
fence； back of the barn； and scream across a small field to some of
the numerous members of old John's family。 Under this arrangement；
I felt that the house was perfectly safe。
Before she cou