Hereupon, a hammock, suspended near the
talkers, and filled with what appeared to be
a bundle of lace and silken shawls, became
agitated, and developed at one end a slender
arched foot in an open-work silk stocking and
sandal-slipper, and at the other end a dark,
youthful, oval face, with glorious eyes and
dull black hair. A voice of music asked,--

"What is lacustrine, papa?"

"Oh, so you are awake again, Senorita
Miriam?"

"I haven't been asleep. What is lacustrine?"

"Ask the professor."

"Lacus, you know, my dear," said the
latter, "means fresh-water indications as
against salt."

"Then how does Great Salt Lake----"

"Oh, for that matter, the whole ocean
was fresh originally. Moisture, evaporation,
precipitation. Water is a great solvent:
earthquakes break the crust, and
there you are!"