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Page 44
Inside the cabin the table was set for tea. It held the best pickles,
preserves, cold meats and jellies that the houseboat larder could
furnish. Lillian had made a pitcher of lemonade and another of iced
tea. Miss Jones had roasted potatoes, and her corn muffins were ready
to slip into the oven as soon as she heard their friends approaching.
The three girls and their chaperon wore simple white frocks, with blue
sashes knotted about their waists, for blue and white were the
houseboat colors.
They were watching a golden sunset from the deck of their ship when,
together, they espied a figure standing up in a small skiff that was
moving in their direction. The boat was rowed by one man. The other
man sat with his arm in a sling. The upright figure was waving a great
bunch of flowers.
"Madge is coming!" cried Phil. The four women got out their
handkerchiefs and shouted across the water.
As Madge climbed aboard the boat a strange, squeaky sound greeted her.
First it played fast, then slow. It was undoubtedly music.
"My bonnie lies over the ocean,
My bonnie lies over the sea,
My bonnie lies over the ocean,
Oh, bring back my bonnie to me."
The tune was old as the hills.
"What on earth is that?" demanded Madge, as she kissed her chaperon and
started around the semi-circle of her chums.
"It's Lillian's surprise!" Eleanor explained. "It's a hurdy-gurdy. We
found it in the village. I know it is pretty old. But Lillian
persuaded the man to bring it on board, as we thought it would be jolly
to have a dance on the deck to-night in honor of Miss Madge Morton,
captain of the 'Merry Maid.'"
CHAPTER XV
A CALL FOR HELP
"Madge, you must go over to Fisherman's Island with me," urged Phil a
few days later. "I feel dreadfully about Mollie. I promised the poor
girl that we would come to see her soon. Now, a long time has passed;
we have never been there. Eleanor and Lillian are anxious to go along
with me. Mollie is perfectly lovely, and I am heartily sorry for her.
Do come with us, there's a dear. Don't pretend you are tired, or make
Miss Jones think you are sick. You are just as well now as any of the
rest of us. If you don't come, it is just because you want to stay
here to read that silly novel. Real people are much more interesting
than stories."
Madge yawned and stretched herself lazily in the steamer chair. "Phil,
it is awfully hot on the water. Couldn't we go to see your girl some
other time? If she has waited this long, she may as well wait a little
longer. You see, I promised Mrs. Curtis I wouldn't go out in the sun."
"Madge Morton, you are putting on airs. Going out in the sun, indeed!"
Phil sniffed disdainfully. "When did the sun ever hurt you? You just
love to have people spoil you. You know there is nothing in the world
the matter with you now. But please don't come, if you do not wish to.
Nellie and Lillian and I are going now."
Phyllis walked quietly away, with her head in the air. Madge was
really too provoking.
Madge closed her book with a bang and rushed after her friend. "Of
course I wish to go with you, Phil. I am interested in your pretty
girl. I had reached the most exciting part of my story when you asked
me, and---- Now, you will hurt my feelings dreadfully if you don't let
me go along with you! Just think, Phyllis Alden. You said I was
spoiled, and that I liked to pretend I was sick, and I didn't get one
bit angry. Don't you truly think my temper is improving?"
Phyllis laughed. "Oh, come on, if you like. Do you think Miss Jenny
Ann would mind my taking the poor girl a basket of nice things? I mean
things that any girl would like. My friend isn't in the least like a
beggar."
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