"What's the trouble, Perce?" asked his sister, as he joined the group on the piazza.
"The trouble is that we've just had to cut that fine old New York family off our list."
"What, not the Milbreys!" exclaimed Mrs. Drelmer.
"The same. Now mind, sis, and you, ma—you're not to know them again—and mind this—if any one else wants to present you to a Mrs. Wybert—a Mrs. Brench Wybert—don't you let them. Understand?"
"I thought as much," said Mrs. Drelmer; "she acted just the least little bit too right."
"Well, I haven't my hammer with me—but remember, now, sis, it's for something else than because her father's cravats were the ready-to-wear kind, or because her worthy old grandfather inhaled his soup. Don't forget that."
"As there isn't anything else to do," he suggested, a few moments later, "why not get under way and take a run up the coast?"
"But I must get back to my babies," said Mrs. Bines, plaintively. "Here I've been away four days."
"All right, ma, I suppose we shall have to take you there, only let's get out of here right away. We can bring sis and you back, Mrs. Drelmer, when those people we don't know get off again. There's Mauburn; I'll tell him."
"I'll have my dunnage down directly," said Mauburn.