"I thought I had seen Fred before, and now I know I have."
"Yes," assented Fred quietly. "I knew your voice as soon as you and Bob began talking. Aren't you Mr. Muir?"
"I certainly am," he answered, "and very glad to see you again. I was sure I knew your face as soon as I saw you. And this is the Rob who tied up the cat's feet in papers, is it?"
"Oh, Mr. Muir," began Rob, blushing at the recollection, "I didn't"—
"Never mind that," said Mr. Muir; "but how odd that Miss Carter should be related to Mrs. Rogers, and that I should meet her up here!"
"They're sisters," said Rob, "but cousin Alice is lots older. She's real nice, but she isn't like cousin Bess one bit, and I don't think I like her as well."
Fred looked horrified at Rob's alarming frankness, but Mr. Muir only laughed, as he said,—
"I think perhaps I agree with you, Rob."
As the boat drew near the landing, no one was in sight about the piazza or lawn of Island Den. Frank Muir pulled out his watch.
"Only half-past three now," he said, as if to himself; "still, I think I shall risk a call, even if it is rather early, and I am not in full dress. Rob, do you think your cousins would see me now? As long as I am all here, I think I'll not go away without seeing them."