care to cultivate."

And then as her Aunt wavered uncertainly. "Oh, of course I shall get
along. I can't protest. It's your privilege to choose Milly's
friends, even if you mean to exclude me. It's also my privilege to
choose my friends and I shall do so. If this means that I am taboo at
your houses, I shall respect your wishes but I hope you'll remember
that you are all welcome at 'Wake-Robin' or here whenever you see fit
to visit me."

Having delivered herself of this speech, Hermia paused, sure of her
effect, and calmly awaited the usual recantation and reconciliation.
But to her surprise Mrs. Westfield continued to move slowly toward the
door, through which, after a formal word of farewell, she presently
disappeared and was gone.

Hermia stared at the empty door and pondered--really on the verge of
tears. The whole proceeding violated all precedents established for
ineffectual aunts.


CHAPTER IV

MAROONED

In the course of an early pilgrimage in search of an unfrequented spot
where he might work out of doors undisturbed in June before going to
Normandy, Markham had stumbled quite by accident on Thimble Island.
There, to his delight, he had discovered the exact combination of
rocks, foliage and barren he was looking for--the painter's landscape.