The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

oom, dancing up and down, fluttering he

nd it isn't holding he

ister's side. She grasped Dot

tell me what the mat

n! And it isn't holdin

is," suggested Agnes. "Tess ma

is time of day?" crie

whence floated down a series of startled crie

om! She's in! It is

undering about in the tub, full of water, with part of her bathing suit on and something bulky tied around her waist. She was clinging to the edge of the tub with

d Ruth pulled the small girl to her feet. Tess was gas

That was all Tess co

owel, to dry the dripping face. "Did you fall in?

got around your w

ed Tess. "If-if you'll take the towel out of my

ercy's sake!" exclaimed Ruth. "Did

speaking, especially as she had

rl raising her hands to keep her sisters from stuffing any more of

drowned?" was t

ght have been,"

is worse than the clothes baske

d been helped out of the bathtub and was standing on a big mat

erver?" ques

ht fall off the houseboat and I didn't see

and she wanted me to tie one on me and make believe we fell into the

could you expect a rubber bag full of water

just as Sammy Pinkney blows up his football," sai

dded, as she and Agnes unwrapped from their sister some folds of cloth by w

" scolded Dot, as Tess was sent to her room

asking you?" called Tess, turning back, and holding her bath ro

if they are needed,"

altby came in and hear

that bag had got around your feet, and the winding strips had tangled, your feet might

ouldn't!" d

Agnes wan

in it! I told Tess ma

air in the bag," called Tess from the half-

er head when she hea

at," she said. "If they cut up such

how," said Ruth with cheerful phi

through the canal. Hank Dayton had been "slicked up," and had his two sturdy mules in readiness. Neale had tested the motor again. A supply

diness. All that was possible had been done to get into communication with Neale's father, and all that could be done was

morning of the

d Tess as she arose early and

and the boat has a roof on it," said D

ain, and her kittens might

it was useless to appeal from. "The poor cat wouldn't have a

," suggested Tess, as

rd Hank Dayton say so," put in Dot, s

eed it," compromised Ruth. "Do

ented Dot, and t

ot Billy Bumps. Let's go d

with us?" asked Do

So don't ask him and make him fee

ht," sig

nd went out to greet Sammy, who was p

politely asked when he had refused an invita

u, Sammy," wa

the wagon and get anything you wa

d to hurry away to see about one

her sisters, as he prepared to depart. "I w

a cat on the boat I don't suppos

ly spoke. "Well, good-by!" And down the street he went, t

ost time for Mr. Howbridge to call for them in his ma

Ruth. She gave a sudden start. "Oh, Agnes! O

ng! Well, haven't we time to run down

d at her w

Come on. You and I can take the p

earies!" cautioned Mrs. MacCall. "

e one," as

ry and some other articles of value in their s

a large umbrella, which Agnes carried

ance from home, when suddenly a downpour bega

rella!" cried Ruth. "

errible!" g

ng with the catch of the umbrella. Ruth was just going to help her sister raise it when suddenly t

and, as he did so, he made a grab for the

the girl. "Stop

ushed Agnes back as she le

the men sped up the street, leaving the two ho