Moreover, a severely plain "No Trespass" sign, at the
lake-margin, would serve as ideal kindling for a jolly little
camp-fire. There is always a zest in using trespass boards for
picnic fires. Not only are they seasoned and painted in a way to
cause quick ignition, but people laugh so appreciatively, when
one tells, afterward, of the bit of jovial audacity.

Yes, this point was just the place for luncheon and for siesta.
It might have been made to order. And by tacit consent the two
paddlers sent their multi-chrome canoe sweeping toward it. Five
minutes later, they had helped the girls ashore and were lifting
out the lunch-basket and various newspaper parcels and the
red-and-purple cushions.

With much laughter and a snatch or two of close harmony, the
lunch was spread. One of the men picked out a place for the fire
(against the trunk of a two-century oak; perhaps the millionth
noble old tree to be threatened thus with death from care-free
picnickers' fires) and the other man sauntered across to the
trespass board to annex it for kindling.

Everything was so happy and so complete and everyone was having
such a perfect time! Into such moments Fate loves best to toss
Trouble. And, this day, Fate played true to form.

As the fire-maker's hand was laid on the trespass board, even as
his inconsequential muscles were braced to rip it loose from its
post,--a squeal from the girl in the blue picture hat and the
Nile-green georgette waist, checked his mirthful activities.