Shortly after they left the dining room, Jim came in search of Nancy; and the others departed in a taxi, with long heavy coats over their evening clothes.
They prowled about the little town of Digby, buying post cards, stamps, etc., and seemed to have about exhausted the possibility of purchases, when Martha exclaimed:
“Let’s buy some funny prizes for our bridge party!”
“Oh, let’s,” agreed Jeanette, entering a little store in the window of which various souvenirs were displayed, Miss Ashton and Martha following.
It was difficult to make a selection; for they wanted a prize for each which would be particularly suited to its recipient; and by turns each had to withdraw while her prize was being bought. At last, however, they were ready to return to the hotel, when Martha cried:
“We haven’t any lunch for the party! And what’s a party without a lunch!”
Jeanette laughed; but Miss Ashton replied:
“I’ll surprise you. I planned that part of it long ago.”
When they got back to the cottage they found Nancy and Jim sitting on the tiny front porch looking at the moon above the tall pines shining down upon the little village and the pier with the lighthouse at the end.
“There was such a crowd that we didn’t care to stay any longer,” explained Nancy, as they all went into the living room.