"I shall be delighted to look at them, as I have always wanted my girls to do something along those lines," said Mrs. Vernon.
"If you know anything about butterflies, you will prize the specimen of swallow-tail I found in these woods," said Mr. Gilroy.
"Really! But I've heard they were never found in America, Mr. Gilroy," exclaimed Julie.
"I know that is a common belief, but I have one, nevertheless, and a friend who devotes his time to studying insect-life assured me that the one I caught was genuine. Then, the very next day this friend caught one quite near the place where mine was taken. This led us to investigate, and we reached the conclusion that there are rare butterflies hatched out in isolated sections of this land, but are not found; so, of course, no mention is made of them.
"Even if the farmers see a swallow-tail, or any other rare butterfly hovering over their gardens, they don't know the difference, and it passes safely. If that same farmer knew the value of the specimen he would leave all else to chase the gauzy flutterer."
When it came time for the visitor to say good-night, he said, "Oh, I forgot all about the very object of my visit!"
"It must have been awfully important," laughed Julie.
"Well, we think it is," chuckled Mr. Gilroy. "The boys of Grey Fox Camp sent me to invite you to have dinner with them to-morrow, if it is clear."
"Why, Mr. Gilroy!" exclaimed Julie, scarcely believing her idol could forget such an important matter.
Every one laughed at his guilty look, and Judith teasingly said, "We ought to call him 'The Man Who Lost His Memory,' for that!"