“But he never did find their names among the missing or killed,” Mollie reminded them soberly.  “We know that because he said he expected to see them soon.”

“Of course, And all we can do is hope with all our hearts that he gets his wish,” said Betty brightly, adding with a sudden change of subject:  “But away with dull care.  The sun is shining and here’s our fairy ship waiting to carry us off to fresh adventure.  What more could any one want, I’d like to know.”

“Humph,” grunted Mollie, eyeing critically the trim little boat in which they had had so much fun and adventure, as the other girls tumbled aboard.  “I’d say she didn’t look very much like a fairy boat just now.  She needs considerable polishing and scrubbing.  Why don’t you girls get busy, anyhow?”

“Just hear who’s talking,” yawned Grace, disposing herself lazily in a comfortable chair on deck.  “I haven’t noticed you waving a broom and mop frantically around these parts lately, Mollie dear.”

“In fact,” Betty added with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “I think I remember suggesting that the Gem needed grooming the other day.  Whereupon some one who shall be nameless suggested a motor ride instead.”

“She’s got you there, old dear,” drawled Grace, taking the inevitable box of chocolates from her pocket and opening it lovingly.  “I remember the incident pre-zactly as it has been described.”

Mollie, who was still standing on the dock, regarding them frowningly, started to reply but Betty interrupted her with a shout.  She had started the engine and the boat began to move slowly away from the dock.

“Better hurry up,” suggested the Little Captain wickedly.  “We’d rather not leave you behind, but if you insist.

However, Mollie had not the slightest intention in the world of being left behind.  With a gasp of mingled surprise and dismay she made a jump for it, cleared the foot of space between the dock and the boat and landed square in the middle of Grace’s astonished and outraged lap.  She would have sat on the candy box, too, and would, in all probability, have ruined it and her dress as well, had not Grace, with rare presence of mind, whipped the box out of danger just in the nick of time.

“Well,” said Mollie, too surprised and indignant to move for a moment, while, at the comical picture she made, both Betty and Amy laughed merrily, “I surely like this!”

“You do, do you?  Well, I don’t!” cried Grace, recovering both her breath and her dignity at the same moment.  “If you don’t stop sitting on my lungs this minute, Mollie Billette, I’ll—­ I’ll—­ stick this pin into you.”

With a yell Mollie stumbled to her feet and shook out her dress belligerently.

“You had better not.  I’m stronger than you, Grace Ford, and I’ve a good mind to let you see what the bottom of the river looks like.”

She advanced toward her prospective victim, and Betty stopped laughing long enough to call to her.