"It's like a big, useless bathtub," observed Randolph.

"Not so much useless as unused."

"Yes, I suppose the season _is_ as good as over,--though this end of
the lake stays warm longer than most other parts."

"It isn't so much the warmth of the water," remarked Cope sententiously.
"It's more the warmth of the air."

"Well, the air seems warm enough. After all, the air and the sun are about
the best part of a swim. Do you want to go in?"

Cope rose, walked to the edge of the water, and put in a finger or two.
"Well, it might be warmer; but, as I say...."

"We could try a ten-minute dip. That would get us to our dinner in good
time and in good trim."

"All right. Let's, then."

"Only, you'll have to do most of the swimming," said Randolph. "My few
small feats are all accomplished pretty close to shore."

"Never mind. Company's the thing. A fellow finds it rather slow, going in
alone."

Cope whisked off his clothes with incredible rapidity and piled them--or
flung them--under the basswoods: the suddenly resuscitated technique of the