“Yes, yes,” he said to Laura, “the bridge was turned. It was an imposition. We had to wait while they let three tows through. I think two at a time is as much as is legal. And we had to wait for three. Yes, sir; three, think of that! I shall look into that tomorrow. Yes, sir; don’t you be afraid of that. I’ll look into it.” He nodded his head with profound seriousness.

“Well,” announced Mr. Cressler, marshalling the party, “shall we go in? I’m afraid, Laura, we’ve missed the overture.”

Smiling, she shrugged her shoulders, while they moved to the wicket, as if to say that it could not be helped now.