Thurber's pond was of moderate size,probably covering thirty or forty acres.Near the edge it was shallow,but toward the middle the water was of considerable depth.There were two boats moored at the little pier built out at the foot of the picnic grounds,one a sail boat and the other a row boat.
Toward the middle of the afternoon it was proposed to press these boats into the service of some of the older visitors.The children were scattered through the neighboring fields,playing games that interested them.The sail boat proved the more attractive,and was already full before Mabel,Clementina,and their escorts became aware of the plan proposed.
Clementina was very much annoyed.
"It's so provoking,"she complained."I dote on the water.Isn't there room for me?"But the sail boat was,if anything,too full already,and nobody offered to get out.
Allan Thorpe and Mabel were standing by,both a little disappointed.The artist's eye fell upon the row boat.
"Do you row,Mr.Chester?"he asked,"A little,"was the answer.
"Then suppose,since we are unable to go in the sail boat,we give the ladies a row.Would you like it,Miss Frost?"Thank you,"said Mabel."I should enjoy it very much.""And you,Miss Raymond?"
"It will be better than moping here."
So the four seated themselves in the boat,and the gentlemen took up the oars.Mr.
Chester proved to be very awkward,and Allan Thorpe offered to row alone.The bachelor accepted with alacrity,and seated himself next to Mabel,leaving Miss Raymond at the other end of the boat.This did not suit Clementina,who straightway lost her interest in the excursion.She felt herself ill used at this act of desertion on the part of her escort.Mabel read her discontent,and wanted to suggest to Mr.Chester that she could dispense with his company,but this was difficult to do.His face beamed with satisfaction,and Miss Raymond saw it,and was provoked.She even deigned to be jealous of the school mistress.
"You are not very considerate,Mr.Chester,"she said sharply,"in leaving Mr.Thorpe to do all the work.""He likes it,"replied Randolph lazily."Don't you,Mr.
Thorpe?"
"I always enjoy rowing,"said Allan,who understood very well that Mr.
Chester could not manage both oars.
"I would rather look on,"continued Chester contentedly."How are you getting on with your school,Miss Frost?""Very well,thank you."
"I wish I was young enough to enroll myself among your scholars,"said the bachelor gallantly.
"You would find me very strict,Mr.Chester.""I should take care not to give you any trouble."Miss Raymond did not enjoy this badinage,and mentally pronounced Mabel an artful girl,who had designs upon Mr.Chester's affections.She could not resist the temptation to revenge herself on her escort.
"I suppose you can hardly remember your school days,Mr.Chester?"said she.
"Really,Miss Raymond,I am not quite an antediluvian,"exclaimed Randolph Chester,somewhat provoked.
"Excuse me,Mr.Chester.I didn't suppose you were sensitive about your age.I really hope you'll excuse me.""I do not know that I have any reason to be sensitive as yet ,"said Mr.Chester stiffly."It will be time enough for that when I reach fifty."He was that already;but this was a secret between himself and the old Bible,which neither of his hearers was likely to have a chance of seeing.
Clementina's purpose was achieved.She had made Mr.Chester uncomfortable,and interrupted his tete-a-tete with Mabel.She followed up her advantage by becoming very sociable with Allan Thorpe.
"Are you at work upon another charming picture,Mr.Thorpe?"she asked graciously.
"You are very kind,Miss Raymond;I am painting another picture.I hope it may deserve the adjective you use.""I like your paintings so much.Have you ever been to Italy?""No,"said Mr.Thorpe regretfully."I wish I could go.""You really ought to do so.I adore art myself.I should like nothing better than to see the grand Italian galleries,with some one to point out the best pictures --some one like yourself,who understands the subject.""Have you ever been abroad,Miss Raymond?"asked Mabel.
"No,"said Clementina."Mamma has such a horror of the sea;she is so liable to be seasick.It is such a pity,when one has the means,that there should be a drawback."This was another of Clementina's little fictions.In plain truth,want of means was the only objection to a European trip on the part of the Raymonds.
"When you are married,Miss Raymond,you will not be dependent on your mother as a companion;,then you can gratify your taste.""So I can,"said Clementina with naive simplicity,as if the idea had just occurred to her."If I can't go in any other way,I shall be willing to pay the expenses of the tour myself.So you're really at work upon a new picture,Mr.Thorpe?""I have not made much progress yet,but I have made a beginning.""I should like to see it.I couldn't,of course,hope to offer any suggestion,but I can tell whether I like it.""Thank you.When it is more advanced I shall be glad to ask your opinion of it.""Do you ever give lessons in painting,Mr,Thorpe?""I did at one time,but I found that it interfered with my work.""Then I cannot hope to secure you as a teacher.It would be so nice to go out in the fields,and take lessons from so competent an instructor.""You flatter me,Miss Raymond."
"You only say so because of your modesty,Mr.Thorpe.I have a high opinion of your talent,and I shall take every opportunity of mentioning you in my set.""Thank you."
Allan Thorpe was clear sighted enough to estimate Miss Raymond's sudden interest in him at its right value.He also had a suspicion that her set was not one likely to care much for arts or artists.But it amused him to watch Clementina's jealousy,and to penetrate her motives in turning her attention to him.
