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forgotten them。
〃Oh！ they're gone out for a walk；〃 said she。 〃They started off
right after breakfast。〃
We were not sorry for this。 It would be so much nicer to see our
dear home again when there was nobody there but ourselves。 In…
doors we rushed。 Our absence had been like rain on a garden。
Everything now seemed fresher and brighter and more delightful。 We
went from room to room； and seemed to appreciate better than ever
what a charming home we had。
We were so full of the delights of our return that we forgot all
about the Sunday dinner and our guests； but Pomona； whom my wife
was training to be an excellent cook； did not forget； and Euphemia
was summoned to a consultation in the kitchen。
Dinner was late； but our guests were later。 We waited as long as
the state of the provisions and our appetites would permit； and
then we sat down to the table and began to eat slowly。 But they
did not come。 We finished our meal； and they were still absent。
We now became quite anxious； and I proposed to Euphemia that we
should go and look for them。
We started out； and our steps naturally turned toward the river。
An unpleasant thought began to crowd itself into my mind； and
perhaps the same thing happened to Euphemia； for； without saying
anything to each other； we both turned toward the path that led to
the peninsula。 We crossed the field； climbed the fence； and there；
in front of the tent sat our old boarder splitting sticks with the
camp…hatchet。
〃Hurrah！〃 he cried； springing to his feet when he saw us。 〃How
glad I am to see you back！ When did you return？ Isn't this
splendid？〃
〃What？〃 I said； as we shook hands。
〃Why this；〃 he cried； pointing to the tent。 〃Don't you see？ We're
camping out。〃
〃You are？〃 I exclaimed； looking around for his wife； while Euphemia
stood motionless； actually unable to make a remark。
〃Certainly we are。 It's the rarest bit of luck。 My wife and Adele
will be here directly。 They've gone to look for water…cresses。
But I must tell you how I came to make this magnificent find。 We
started out for a walk this morning； and we happened to hit on this
place； and here we saw this gorgeous tent with nobody near but a
little tow…headed boy。〃
〃Only a boy？〃 cried Euphemia。
〃Yes； a young shaver of about nine or ten。 I asked him what he was
doing here； and he told me that this tent belonged to a gentleman
who had gone away； and that he was here to watch it until he came
back。 Then I asked him how long the owner would probably be away；
and he said he supposed for a day or two。 Then a splendid idea
struck me。 I offered the boy a dollar to let me take his place： I
knew that any sensible man would rather have me in charge of his
tent； than a young codger like that。 The boy agreed as quick as
lightning； and I paid him and sent him off。 You see how little he
was to be trusted！ The owner of this tent will be under the
greatest obligations to me。 Just look at it！〃 he cried。 〃Beds；
table； stove；everything anybody could want。 I've camped out lots
of times； but never had such a tent as this。 I intended coming up
this afternoon after my valise； and to tell your girl where we are。
But here is my wife and little Adele。〃
In the midst of the salutations and the mutual surprise； Euphemia
cried：
〃But you don't expect to camp out； now？ You are coming back to our
house？〃
〃You see；〃 said the ex…boarder； 〃we should never have thought of
doing anything so rude； had we supposed you would have returned so
soon。 But your girl gave us to understand that you would not be
back for days； and so we felt free to go at any time； and I did not
hesitate to make this arrangement。 And now that I have really
taken the responsibility of the tent and fixtures on myself； I
don't think it would be right to go away and leave the place；
especially as I don't know where to find that boy。 The owner will
be back in a day or two； and I would like to explain matters to him
and give up the property in good order into his hands。 And； to
tell the truth； we both adore camping…out； and we may never have
such a chance again。 We can live here splendidly。 I went out to
forage this morning； and found an old fellow living near by who
sold me a lot of provisionseven some coffee and sugarand he's
to bring us some milk。 We're going to have supper in about an
hour； won't you stay and take a camp…meal with us？ It will be a
novelty for you； at any rate。〃
We declined this invitation； as we had so lately dined。 I looked
at Euphemia with a question in my eye。 She understood me； and
gently shook her head。 It would be a shame to make any
explanations which might put an end to this bit of camp…life； which
evidently was so eagerly enjoyed by our old friend。 But we
insisted that they should come up to the house and see us； and they
agreed to dine with us the next evening。 On Tuesday； they must
return to the city。
〃Now； this is what I call real hospitality；〃 said the ex…boarder；
warmly grasping my hand。 I could not help agreeing with him。
As we walked home； I happened to look back and saw old John going
over the fields toward the camp； carrying a little tin…pail and a
water bucket。
The next day； toward evening； a storm set in； and at the hour fixed
for our dinner； the rain was pouring down in such torrents that we
did not expect our guests。 After dinner the rain ceased； and as we
supposed that they might not have made any preparations for a meal；
Euphemia packed up some dinner for them in a basket； and I took it
down to the camp。
They were glad to see me； and said they had a splendid time all
day。 They were up before sunrise； and had explored； tramped；
boated； and I don't know what else。
My basket was very acceptable； and I would have stayed awhile with
them； but as they were obliged to eat in the tent； there was no
place for me to sit； it being too wet outside； and so I soon came
away。
We were in doubt whether or not to tell our friends the true
history of the camp。 I thought that it was not right to keep up
the deception； while Euphemia declared that if they were sensitive
people； they would feel very badly at having broken up our plans by
their visit； and then having appropriated our camp to themselves。
She thought it would be the part of magnanimity to say nothing
about it。
I could not help seeing a good deal of force in her arguments；
although I wished very much to set the thing straight； and we
discussed the matter again as we walked down to the camp； after
breakfast next morning。
There we found old John sitting on a stump。 He said nothing； but
handed me a note written in lead…pencil on a card。 It was from our
ex…boarder； and informed me that early that morning he had found
that there was a tug lying in the river； which would soon start for
the city。 He also found that he could get passage on her for his
party； and as this was such a splendid chance to go home without
the bother of getting up to the station； he had just bundled his
family and his valise on board； and was very sorry they did not
have time to come up and bid us good…bye。 The tent he left in
charge of a very respectable man；