“I guess so,” Terry replied. “Tell Mother I’ll be right back, will you, Arden? I won’t be long.”
“Of course, Terry. But don’t you want——” Arden asked in a meaning, unfinished way.
For answer Terry turned aside from their strange caller and winked understandingly at Arden and Sim. Arden did not press her point further, but nodded her head and said no more. Both were thinking: “Now for another adventure!”
Terry quickly went for the oars and, with the dark flashy woman following, made for the rowboat. The passenger got in gracefully despite her extremely high-heeled shoes and sat in the stern while Terry pushed off.
“There it is, down there.” Terry pointed to the moored boat where Dimitri lived.
“That?” her passenger asked incredulously. “That—that thing? Dimitri is an odd one. Fancy him living there!” she sneered openly.
Terry maintained an embarrassed silence and rowed more vigorously. They soon reached the side of the houseboat, and at the sound of the oars Tania appeared on the narrow little deck, barking furiously.
“Dimitri! Dimitri!” the woman called. “Have you still got that beast? Tie her up. I’m coming aboard.”
Dimitri, in answer to the call, opened the door and came outside. He looked almost shocked as he saw Terry and her queer passenger, and for a minute seemed awe-struck. Then he smiled at Terry, for it was impossible to be heard above Tania’s wild barking. He shrugged his shoulders and grasping Tania by the collar had literally to pull the huge dog away from the edge of the boat.
Terry came closer and grasped the side of the houseboat that the woman had spoken of as Merry Jane. She waited until Dimitri returned without Tania. He leaned down and, holding the woman by the hand, assisted her to climb aboard. Then, turning to Terry, smiling queerly, remarked: