best, but give me the pretty pond lilies," he finished.

The morning passed quickly, for there was so much to see around the
lake. Wild ducks tried to find out how near they could go to the
water without touching it, and occasionally one would splash in, by
accident.

"What large birds there are around the sea," Bert remarked. "I
suppose they have to be big and strong to stand long trips without
food when the waves are very rough and they can hardly see fish."

"Yes, and they have such fine plumage," said Hal. "I've seen birds
around here just like those in museums, all colors, and with all kinds
of feathers--Birds of Paradise, I guess they call them."

"Do you ever go shooting?"

"No, not in summer time," replied Hal. "But sometimes father and I
take a run down here about Thanksgiving. That's the time for seaside
sport. Why, last year we fished with rakes; just raked the fish up in
piles--'frosties,' they call them."

"That must be fun," reflected Bert.

"Maybe you could come this year," continued Hal. "We might make up a
party, if you have school vacation for a week. We could camp out in
our house, and get our meals at the hotel."

"That would be fine!" exclaimed Bert. "Maybe Uncle William would
come, and perhaps my Cousin Harry, from Meadow Brook. He loves that