"That's quite a pretty girl," said Mr. Waterbury.
"Yes," answered Tom.
"You ought to get acquainted with her," said Mr. Waterbury jocosely.
"Perhaps," said Tom shyly, "you will get acquainted with them, and then you can introduce me."
"You are quite sharp," said Mr. Waterbury, laughing. "However, your hint is a good one. I may act upon it."
It happened, however, that Tom required no introduction. As the lady and her daughter walked across the deck, to occupy some desirable seats on the other side, the former dropped a kid glove, which Tom, espying, hastened forward and, picking up, politely tendered to the owner.
"You are very kind," said the lady, in a pleasant voice. "I am much obliged."
"Mama is quite in the habit of dropping her gloves," said the young girl, with a smiling glance at Tom. "I really think she does it on purpose."
"Then, perhaps, I had better keep near-by to pick them up," said Tom.
"Really, Jennie," said her mother, "you are giving the young gentleman a strange impression of me."