"Ah, I can understand that," laughed Violet. "But now, Cousin Hugh, you
must let me have the pleasure of introducing you to the cousins from
Pleasant Plains."

It was quite a gathering of relatives and friends, all weary enough with
the day's exertions in sight-seeing to enjoy resting in comfortable chairs
on the vessel's deck, while comparing notes as to their experiences since
coming to the Fair; what each had seen and heard, what they were planning
yet to see, some caring more especially for one class of curiosities,
some for another.

But hardly a half hour had passed when they were summoned to an excellent
repast, after which they again repaired to the deck, where they gathered
in groups and indulged in further chat.

Grace was a little apart from the others, reclining in a steamer chair.

"Are you very, very tired, Gracie?" asked Walter, coming to her side.

"Pretty tired," she answered, smiling up into his face. "Why? did you want
me to do anything?"

"Oh, no! no, indeed! but I was just thinking that now that we have two
ventriloquists here, we might have some fun--for so far as I know the
folks from Pleasant Plains don't know anything about the extraordinary
powers of Cousins Ronald and Hugh--and I hoped you weren't too tired to
enjoy it."

"I don't believe I am," she laughed; "and I think I shall enjoy it if papa