The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

nd Tess went over every part of it again, from the eng

e fussing around tha

ded to make the trip," remarked Ruth

you and Mr. Howbridge had fixed it up between you whe

word to me about

d something," ins

r hands about to indicate the Bluebird. "I was as much surprised

be delightful,

. But of course it de

xclaimed Agnes quick

s chaperone and all that. We may have to tie up at

And how about asking Luke Shepard a

ushed a

r Aunt Lorena, who is sick, and Luke wrote me that he had a position offered to him as a clerk in a summer

d, Ruth. You won't

nything of him." And Ruth

ore, we'll have Neale and Mr

ure he can go-at least all the way

go!" declared Agnes. "Come on,

Mr. Howbridge to com

oat!" and she danced off to the dining room, took her seat at the table, and exclaimed: "I'll have a stea

he result that they grew more and more enthusiastic about the trip. And when Mr. How

asked Ruth. "Are you going to act as caretak

fuse," she answered, giving him a swift smile. "But,

of Bobby Burns' poems, and if that doesn't win her over no

't the same kind I had to run before, b

father?" asked Ruth, glancin

He told us all he knew about the rumor of Mr. O'Neil having returned from the Klondike, and I am going to start an inquiry, with newspaper advertising and a

"I thought Neale said

evening suit and drive canal mules. But Hank seems to be a sterling chap at the bo

nk this Dayton will answer. He has just finished a trip, and so Neale and I hired him. It will be well for Neale to keep in touch with him, t

Agnes. "I'm just in love with the craft, and I know we shall have a del

r. "The purchaser of the boat does not want her until fa

exclaime

Scotch housekeeper would not listen to any proposal for the trip on the water. But when Ruth and Agnes had spoken

e chuckled. "But 'tis all in the day's work. I'll gang with ye ma lassies. A cana

le to restrain her joy. "Al

and Aunt Sarah

some one calling,"

ned Ruth. "She's so ex

day, is it?" asked the old lad

spoke more loudly. "We are going to make a trip on a houseb

her head, as Tess pull

go traipsing off over the countr

ot a flying machine

he old lady. "No, I'll stay at home and look afte

no doubt of th

home with Linda and Uncle Rufus, while Mrs. MacCall

etails to arrange, for, as inheritors of the Stower estate, Ruth and her sisters r

will want nothing while w

ay Lady Bountiful to some of the poorer pers

all right," said Agnes, and they laughed at this remembrance of the girl who, when ill wi

and pronounced it in perfect running order, a fact which Neale verified for himself. He had made all his plans for

d all that rover could tell, which was not much. But it seemed

the trouble was that the circus, which was not a very large affair, traveled about so, on no well-kept scheduled route, that Mr. Sorber was difficult to find. Letters had been addressed to h

the houseboat through the stretch of canal. About a week, or per

nal boats. When one team is wearied it is put in the stable, which is on board the canal boat, and th

rest at night either in the open, along the canal towpath, or in some of the canal barns that would be come upon on the trip. At the end of the trip the animals would be sold. Mr

n poor luck, but he was not dissipated, and even Mrs. MacCall approved of him when he had been shaved, a shav

was accomplished, and the day ca

on our wonderful tri

Betterment Club?" ask

back. Really no one wants to undertak

laughed Agnes. "Well, I'm glad you are

ood for all of us," murmured Ruth.

the floor above came a cry of a

hat?" gas

on of Agnes. "They must have started in to

protest, for she very muc

came bursting int

n't holding her up at all! Come on