Madge looked crestfallen. The old sailor had such a splendid, strong face. He did not seem to be the kind of man who would fail to return a friendly good morning greeting.
“I don’t think he heard you, Madge. Let’s all halloo together,” proposed Lillian.
“Good morning!” shouted five young voices in a mischievous chorus.
The seaman lifted his big head. His smile came slowly, wrinkling his face into heavy creases. “Good morning, mates,” he called heartily. “Coming ashore?”
“Oh, may we?” cried Madge in return. “We should dearly love to!”
The five girls needed no further invitation. They piled out of the “Water Witch” before their host could come near enough to assist them.
The seaman did not invite them into the house. The girls took their seats on the big rock near the water. Madge was farthest away, but promptly the monkey leaped from its master’s shoulder and planted itself in Madge’s hair, pulling the strands violently while he chattered angrily.
“You horrid little thing!” she cried; “you hurt. I wonder if you hate red hair. Is that the reason you are trying to pull mine out? Please, somebody, take this playful beast away.”
The old sea captain, as the girls guessed him to be, promptly came to Madge’s rescue and removed the angry monkey.
“You must forgive my pet,” he remarked kindly. “My little Madge is jealous. She doesn’t like strangers and we don’t often have young lady visitors.”