"'Chinese thunder' at best," whispered Harcourt to Addie; but all heard him.
Hemstead bit his lip and said nothing, but Lottie spoke up quickly: "No matter about the 'thunder,' Mr. Harcourt. That is only noise under any circumstances. But suppose there is the lightning of truth in what Mr. Hemstead says?"
"And suppose there is not?" he replied, with a shrug.
Hemstead gave Lottie a quick, pleased look, which Bel and De Forrest smilingly noted, and the conversation changed to lighter topics.
As they were passing through a small hamlet some miles back from the river, a bare-headed man came running out from a country store and beckoned them to stop, saying: "We're going to give our dominie a donation party to-night. Perhaps Mrs. Marehmont will do suthin' for us, or likely you'll all like to drive over and help the young folks enjoy themselves."
"Capital!" cried Lottie; "I've always wanted to attend a country donation. Do you think we can come, Addie?"
"O, certainly, if you wish, but I fear you won't enjoy it. You will not meet any of our 'set' there."
"I don't wish to meet them. I want to meet the other 'set' and have a frolic."
"It will be moonlight, and we will have the drive, which will be the best part of it, you will find," said Harcourt. "Yes, we will come."
"Them folks thinks that they's made of different flesh and blood from the other 'set,' as they call us, and that pretty young woman wants to come as she would go to a menagerie," muttered the man as he went back to the store. "No matter, let 'em come, they will help us make up the salary."