14000 MILES 



cleared, we could not resist the temptation to have a 

 diive while Nature was fresh and dripping. After dinner, 

 we visited Mrs. Celia Thaxter's fascinating parlor ; then 

 took the boat for Portsmouth. The calm after the storm 

 was delightful, and we sailed on, full of anticipation for 

 our drive. 



On reaching Portsmouth we were surprised to learn it 

 had been intensely hot all day, and not a drop of rain had 

 fallen. It was too late to repent, and we ordered our 

 horse, drove to the post office for our mail, our first news 

 from home, then started for the ocean again. Our enthu- 

 siasm was somewhat abated by the sultry atmosphere ; 

 but a drive of eight miles brought us to York Beach, and 

 a brisk walk on the hard, moist sand while the sunset 

 clouds were fading quite restored us. 



The next morning we drove leisurely along the beach, 

 looking for familiar faces we knew were in that vicinity, 

 from the East and West, visited one party after another, 

 and in the afternoon drove on through Wells to Kenne- 

 bunk. We had another visitation from the beach flies, 

 but this time their persecutions continued for only a mile 

 and a half. We looked in vain for a hotel in Kennebunk, 

 and on inquiring were directed to a house attractively 

 located, which we had thought to be a very pleasant 

 private residence. The homelikeness inside harmonized 

 with the exterior, and the host and hostess helped us to 

 pass the evening very agreeably. This was only one of 

 many proofs of Maine hospitality. 



Before leaving Kennebunk we called at the home of a 

 lady, one of the many pleasant people we have met in our 

 summer wanderings, and promised to remember, "if we 



36 



