“But, Mr. Stewart.  I’m afraid I’ve got to beat it for home, sir.”

“Where is home?”

“Up the Hudson, sir.”

“That’s all right.  And yours?” indicating Shortie.

“Vermont, sir.”

“And yours?”

“Near Philadelphia, sir,” said Wheedles.

“All within twelve hours of New London, aren’t they?”

“Yes sir.”

“Very well; that settles it.  You give us ten days at least, and we’ll do the Regatta at New London and any other old thing worth doing.  Will you wire your people that you’re going with us?  ’Orders from your superior officer.’  Who knows but you may all hit my ship and in that case you may as well fall in at once.”

“Well you better believe there’ll be no kick—­I beg your pardon sir—­I mean, I’ll be delighted,” stammered Happy.

“That Western Union wire is going to fuse, sir,” was Wheedles’ characteristic response.

“I said last time I was up at New London that I’d be singed and sizzled if I ever went again, sir, and that just goes to show ’what fools we mortals be’,” was Shortie’s quizzical answer.

“Orders received and promptly obeyed.  So far so good,” was the hearty response.  “Now to the next.  Mrs. Howland, what about you and your plans!  We’ve got this little girl in tow all tight and fast, but you haven’t put out a signal.”

“It all sounds most enticing, but do you know I have another girl to think about?  She is up at Smith College and will graduate in one week.  I must be there for that if I never do another thing.  It is an event in her life and mine.”

“Hum; yes; I see; of course.  We’ve got to get around that, haven’t we?  And I dare say you two think you’ve got to be on deck also,” he added, nodding at Constance and Snap, who in return nodded their reply in a very positive manner.

“Are you going to jump ship too, little captain?” he asked, turning suddenly to Polly.

“Oh please don’t.  We need you so much,” pleaded Peggy.

“I’d like to see Gail graduate, but oh, I do want to go to New London just dreadfully,” cried Polly.

“You would better go, dear,” said Mrs. Howland, deciding the question for her.  “You would have but three days at Northampton and they would hardly mean as much to you as the same number at New London.  Constance, Snap and I will go up, and then perhaps we will come on to New London.  I must first learn Gail’s plans.”

“You will all come up.  Every last one of you, Gail too; and if Gail bears even a passing resemblance to the rest of her family she isn’t going to disgrace it.”

“She’s perfectly lovely, Mr. Stewart,” was Polly’s emphatic praise of her pretty, twenty-year-old sister.

“Your word goes, captain,” answered Mr. Stewart, crossing the room to where the girls sat upon the couch.  “Gangway, please,” he said, motioning them apart and seating himself between them.  “My, but these are pretty snug quarters,” he added, placing an arm around each and drawing them close to him.  Peggy promptly nestled her head upon his shoulder.