"Then you'll have his escort to Boston. That's good. I hope he'll make it pleasant for you while you're there."
"He's sure to do that. I am coming over to see you this afternoon, Gwen, to say good-by. I left Aunt Harriet making her rounds, but I have my packing to do. Auntie is so forehanded; her trunks are all ready. I'm really dying to be off. It will be good to get into the stir and bustle of a city again, and I love the Boston shops. I suppose you'll be going soon, Mr. Hilary."
"My sister is beginning her preparations, I believe, though I shall stay while the weather is pleasant."
Ethel gave Gwen a laughing glance as she walked on. "See you this afternoon," she said.
"Then we shall not have our walk to the woods," remarked Kenneth when Ethel was out of hearing.
Gwen shook her head. "Afraid not, but to-morrow we shall have the island to ourselves or nearly so. The Gray sisters go next week. Most of the boarders have gone, and I noticed more than one cottage closed for the winter as I came along. I shall love it when the transients stop traipsing over the pasture, and cease to crowd the rocks like a flock of pelicans. Already the place seems more our own."
"There will be a moon, though rather late to-night. May I come to Wits' End and watch it rise?"
"Most certainly, and what about the sketches?"
"I left a load of them with Miss Elliott. You can look at them at your leisure."
"Without the showman?"