"But it is," asserted far-sighted Marjory. "It's headed right this way. And the bigger one is Captain Berry's launch, I know."
Twenty minutes later the boat that was not Captain Berry's dropped anchor in the little bay.
"It's people!" Marjory exclaimed, as the smaller launch swung about. "It looks like a picnic."
"Dear me," said alarmed Mrs. Crane, "I hope they've brought their own lunch—we couldn't give them much. And I feel like hiding in the woods—we're terribly in need of starch and flatirons."
"They're waving," cried Bettie. "I do believe they're visitors for us. Oh, I guess they want a boat."
Mr. Black, who had hastened to the launch with one of the small boats, was first to recognize the passengers. Jean, who followed with the second boat (by this time all the girls had learned to row in the shallow, usually calm little bay), was second.
"Mercy!" exclaimed astonished Jean, almost catching a crab, "it's most of our parents and Aunty Jane—I do hope they're not going to take us home!"
Presently the visitors were safely landed. Doctor and Mrs. Bennett, Doctor and Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Mapes, Henrietta's grandmother, Mrs. Slater, and Marjory's Aunty Jane.
"Where's that dreadful boy?" demanded Aunty Jane, the moment she was on shore. "Are you sure he hasn't something catching? I haven't known a moment's peace since I knew that you'd sent for the doctor; for Marjory's never had anything. Are you sure it isn't smallpox? Those lumber camps up the lake——"