drill,” Badeau said, in a loud voice.     

       The girls giggled, and one said boldly, “Won't it be fun if they upset the boat?” After this sign of favor they blushed, Then for several minutes each party carried on a conversation intended for the ears of the other, meanwhile drawing nearer. At length Considine found himself at Mamie's side. Her elbow brushed against his.     

       “Who's your friend?” she asked. Considine stepped back, thus including Badeau in the group.     

       “Hunch Badeau,” he said, “shake hands with Marne Banks.”      

       Mamie introduced them to the other girls, who were still giggling. Then Badeau said to Mamie:     

       “Let's get over to the pier before the crowd gets all the good places.”      

       The party moved slowly toward the life-saving station, Considine walking behind with the other three girls, and trying to show his freedom from jealousy by jostling them playfully off the sidewalk.     

       It took Badeau and Mamie some time to get into a conversation. Then they talked about Considine.     

  

  

       “He's a fine fellow,” said Badeau. “Best man I ever had. Reg'lar as New Years.” This was not entirely true, but it seemed a nice thing to say. He saw that it pleased her, so he went on, with a wink, “You like him pretty well, don't you?”      

       “Oh, I don't know's I do.”      

       “Well, I guess he likes you, anyhow.”      

       “Oh, no, he don't.”      

       “How do you know he don't?”      

       “'Cause I don't care one way or t' other.”      

       “You don't, eh?”      

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