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Page 26
From the Harley shack, the Blossoms went down to the shore and, by
using Father Blossom's field glasses, were able to see the two
islands that lay to the north of Apple Tree Island and which,
rumor said, were used by smugglers. But the children could not
forget the Harleys, and as they continued their walk around the
island they discussed the mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Harley
and the children.
"I wish we could find 'em!" said Meg earnestly. "Wouldn't that be
fine, Bobby?"
"Yes. But how can we?" replied the practical Bobby. "They aren't
on the island, and we are. Perhaps they went to China."
"I'm so sorry for Mr. Harley," struck in Dot. "Do you remember his
little boys, Bobby?"
Bobby wasn't sure.
"I don't think I do," he answered cautiously. "If one of 'em wore
a blue sailor suit with a red tie and the other had long pants,
then I do; I'll ask Mother."
"My dear little son!" exclaimed Mother Blossom, laughing when
Bobby asked her if the Harley boys wore such clothes. "They were
little fellows, about the size of Twaddles--how could one of them
wear long trousers? And you were eight months old, just a little
baby. You are thinking of some other boys you have seen."
Because Father Blossom had insisted that Mother Blossom was to
enjoy a real vacation, there was very little unpacking to be done.
The Winthrops had left their bungalow fully furnished, and though
there was no one on the island to help with the housework, Mother
Blossom declared that if they all helped her there would not be
much to do. In a few days they felt very much at home and the
children voted Apple Tree Island quite as delightful as Brookside
Farm.
"Where you going, Dot?" Twaddles called one morning soon after
they had arrived.
"I was going to look for you," said Dot importantly. "We're all
going over on the ten o'clock boat--Captain Jenks' boat, you know.
Mother has some letters to mail, and she wants us to take the wash
over, that is if Captain Jenks knows any one in Greenpier who will
wash and iron dresses. Meg and Bobby are down on the wharf with
the basket now."
"Well, well, how are all my friends?" Captain Jenks greeted them
when his boat came chugging up to the wharf and he saw a patient
row of small people waiting to go on board. "Want to come now, or
shall I stop on the return trip?"
"We'd like to sail back with you," aid Bobby. "Mother thought you
didn't go any farther up."
"Special trip this morning," answered the captain. "Have to stop
at the island north of Harley's shack to see if any one's
violating game laws. I'm a little of everything 'round here--
sheriff and warden and lake captain. You can come, and welcome."
"We have to take care of the twins," Bobby informed him as the
four little Blossoms marched aboard over the gangplank Captain
Jenks let down especially for them. "Meg and I are old enough to
go to town but Dot and Twaddles are only four."
"What is in the basket?" asked the kind captain, fearing an
explosion from Twaddles, who was furious at this public reference
to his age.
"Oh, that's the wash!" said Bobby. "Mother wants to know if any
one in Greenpier will wash and iron clothes?"
"Four of you going specially on that errand, I suppose," chuckled
the captain, "and not one of you remembered what you were going
for. Sure I know some one who will wash 'em and iron 'em up in
great style and be glad of the job. Mrs. Clayton's her name. Here,
Bobby, you don't have to get off--I'll catch that basket."
Captain Jenks took a long pole with a hook on one end of it that
he used to hook fruit baskets and crates and bundles with, and
neatly drew the clothes basket on board. Mother Blossom had tied
the clothes in securely and put paper over the top, knowing,
perhaps, that the basket was destined to have an adventurous
journey.
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