But on the Saturday following Labor Day it rained.
And the next day it rained harder, and on Monday began a series of cold, windy, gloomy days which threatened to last indefinitely.

One after the other the sojourners from the cities passed from grumbling at the weather to trunk-packing and leaving.

A few stayed on into the next week but when, at the end of that week, a storm set in which was more severe than those preceding it, even these optimists surrendered.

Before that third week was over the High Cliff House was practically deserted.
Except for Heman Daniels and John Kendrick and Miss Timpson and Caleb Hammond, Thankful and Emily and Imogene were alone in the big house.
This upsetting of her plans and hopes worried Thankful not a little.
Emily, too, was troubled concerning her cousin's business outlook.

The High Cliff House had been a success during its first season, but it needed the expected September and early October income to make it a success financially.