Sunday dawned with a moderate sun and a cooling breeze and found us still in bed. At 9.30 we donned suitable raiment and all went over to the Rotary Camp to worship with them in their morning service. I presided at the piano and really enjoyed my ’postman’s holiday’. I chose three pieces which I thought would interest the younger boys and I do not think I have ever played to a more appreciative audience.
After this service Harry suggested that we prepare the food and he would tune up the trusty outboard motor and take the bunch of us up through Stoney Lake to Jack Creek for dinner. This kind offer we readily accepted. We discovered a large patch of wild raspberries, so while some of us packed the dinner, the rest went berry-picking. The ride up the lake was delightful. The rugged islets looked very picturesque indeed. We wondered how Harry knew which way to go since the islands were so numerous and the channel so serpentine that it seemed impossible to keep track of direction. Eventually we came to a small river and picnic grounds where we disembarked. Some of the boys went in for a dip while the rest of us prepared dinner.
Whether it was because there was a lady in the party (Evelyn) or because it was Sunday or because we had not paddled our usual twelve or fifteen miles, but I was surprised to note that the boys’ appetites were under unusual control at this meal.
After supper when all the Rotary Camp boys were supposed to be in or on their way to bed, we all went over to their big dining room for a sing song around the open fire. A few lady guests were there, one of whom had a very good voice and who was asked to sing.
After suggesting everything I could think of, she finally sang Annie Laurie. Evelyn delighted us with another solo and we even persuaded Joe to sing. As I was playing we heard a muffled sneeze from the direction of the verandah. Mr. Loomis immediately rose to go to see what was up but before he could reach the door we heard the sound of two or three dozen feet cluttering pell-mell down the steps of the verandah and away.
They had not been invited to this impromptu musicale but no one could stop them from listening at a safe distance, providing nobody sneezed.
[♬ Listen to a recording of Alec Gordon's composition, 'Evening' ♬]
