THE LAKE 63 



and a rock of strength. The little mother of 

 hundreds of helpless children, her crown of thorns 

 has become a crown of glory. The club, like 

 its president, has a real and practical purpose, 

 and what is more, carries out its projects; in 

 which particular it is different from most other 

 clubs that I know. 



We were joined at the table by the one man 

 who seemed to have come neither from love nor 

 fear, but because he liked it ! He was interesting 

 to look at, because he was so different, and to 

 listen to, because of a certain dry humor. Some- 

 one whispered to me that he was an author. 

 Later I found this to be true. He has written a 

 cook-book. Among other recipes it contains 

 one for boiling spinach without water. I have 

 tried it and found it excellent. 



As sunset time comes I detach myself from the 

 company, for small talk seems so out of keeping 

 when Nature is painting kaleidoscopic pictures 

 which she will never repeat. The eye loses so 

 much, while the ear gains nothing. We were 

 off Fort Sheridan, and as the sun sank behind 

 the clouds the tower stood black and grim against 

 the gold of the western sky. Above, the whole 

 canopy was wrought into cloth of gold, while be- 

 low lay a placid golden sea. A little sailboat 



