middle of September. The solider and more permanent part of
Fairport was well withdrawn from the sandy, sedgy stretches that
bordered on tidewater.

At the north and inland terminus of the quiet strip of water in
which the Jasper B. reposed was a collection of buildings
including bathhouses, a boathouse, and a sort of shed where "soft
drinks" and sea food were served during the bathing season. This
place was known as Parker's Beach and was open only during the
summer.

Morris's was of quite a different character from Parker's Beach.
One could bathe at Morris's, but the beach near by was not
particularly good. One could hire boats there and buy bait for a
fishing trip. In one of its phases it made some pretensions to
being a summer hotel. It had an extensive barroom. There was a
dancing floor, none too smooth. There were long verandahs on
three sides. That on the south side was built on piles' people
ate and drank there in the summer; beneath it the water swished
and gurgled when the tide was in.

The townspeople of Fairport, or the more respectable ones, kept
away from Morris's, summer and winter. Summer transients,
inhabitants of the bungalows during the bathing season,
patronized the place. But most of the patronage at all seasons
seemed to consist of automobile parties from the city; people
apparently drawn from all classes, or eluding definite
classification entirely. In the bleakest season there was always
a little stir of dubious activity about Morris's. In the summer
it impressed you with its look of cheapness. In the winter,