As the girl fluttered back towards the veranda, she saw old Jarvis Benson approaching the house, and hurried out.
"Oh, Jarvis, I wanted to see you."
Jarvis took the pipe out of his mouth, regarded her complacently, and answered:
"Then thar's a pair on you, Miss Mellen."
"I want to have a pair of very light oars made to the little boat, so that I can learn to row it," pursued Elsie.
"That's easy done," said Jarvis. "I guess I've got a pair that'll answer. Only don't dround yourself."
"I'll take care of that," she replied, laughing. "But who else wants you, Jarvis?"
"Your brother told me to come up, and—oh, there he is."
Mr. Mellen had heard voices, and came through the hall out on the veranda.
"Good morning, Jarvis!" he said, in his quiet way.