The children remained at the pool until called to dinner; and after that meal, they went back again and stayed until it was time to return to Zaandam, so fascinated were they with sailing their vessels.  These changed hands so often that it was sometimes difficult to tell who had charge of any particular boat, and a good deal of confusion was the result.  In justice to the “America,” it must be stated that she cut no more capers, and was the admiration of all.

Will had his faults, and one of these was the very high estimate he placed on his own opinions.  But he was generous-hearted, and he admitted to himself that Greta had shown more cleverness than he in the “America” affair.  “She was quicker, anyway,” he thought.  “It is likely that plan would have occurred to me after a time, but she thought of it first.  And it was good of her to help me; for she knew that I went away so as not to play with her.”  It was not pleasant to him to know that a girl had shown herself superior to him in anything he considered his province; but he magnanimously forgave her for this, and he said to Martin, after they were in bed that night: 

“I’ve pretty much made up my mind to give my schooner to Greta.  I believe she thinks it the prettiest thing ever made.”

“If you do that,” said Martin, “I’ll give my sloop to Minchen.”

This plan was carried out, and the girls were more delighted than if they had had presents of diamonds.  But they insisted that the boys should accept their canal-boats in exchange, the result of which was that the Chesters, on their return to America, produced quite a sensation among their schoolmates.  For American-built vessels could be bought in many stores in New York, but a Dutch canal-boat, with a red sail, and a mast that was raised and lowered by a windlass, was not to be found in all the city.

THE BUTTERFLY CHASE.

BY ELLIS GRAY.

  Dear little butterfly,
  Lightly you flutter by,
       On golden wing. 
  Drops of sweet honey sip,
  Deep from the clover tip,
       Then upward spring.

  Over the meadow grass
  Swift as a fairy pass,
       Blithesome and gay;
  Toy with the golden-rod,
  Make the blue asters nod—­
       Off and away!

  Butterfly’s dozing now,
  Golden wings closing now,—­
       Softly he swings. 
  Tiny hands fold him fast,
  Gently unclose at last,—­
       Fly, golden wings!

  Quick! for he’s after you,
  With joyous laughter new,—­
       Mischievous boy! 
  Swift you must flutter by;
  He wants you, butterfly,
       For a new toy!

[Illustration]

HOW TO MAKE A TELEPHONE.

BY M.F.

What is a telephone?

Up go a hundred hands of the brightest and sharpest of the readers of ST. NICHOLAS, and a hundred confident voices reply: