“Just send it along if you happen to run into it anywhere, Dickie,” she said, and Mr. Blake promised to find it if it was anywhere in “little old New York.”
When the second bell had rung and the boat began to empty of its visitors the girls remembered Babbie again and began to be really alarmed. But just as Betty was frantically trying to ask her father, who had established his party on the edge of the dock, what in the world they should do if the Hildreths didn’t come, Babbie appeared, cool and serene in the prettiest of silk traveling suits. “Oh, I thought you knew we’d come on board,” she apologized. “Mother’s lying down and Marie is with her, and I——” Babbie blushed prettily. “Jack is awfully shy, and he just hates to meet a lot of people, so we stayed down below. I’m so sorry.” Babbie caught sight of a tall youth shouldering his way to the edge of the wharf, and waved a big bunch of violets at him.
“I wish we could start now,” said Madeline. “This shouting last speeches indefinitely isn’t all that it might be. Dick looks bored to death.”
“They’re taking up the gangplank,” announced Babe excitedly, tossing a rose to Will.
Just then a hansom drew up with a jerk, a distinguished-looking gentleman tumbled out; Jimmie Scheverin wriggled away from Bob’s firm grasp and jumped to the horse’s head, and the driver called to the crowd in general to “lend him a hand” with the trunk.
“No use hurrying now. They’ve given you up,” called somebody, and the crowd roared with laughter.
“Oh, I say, give de guy anudder chanst,” cried Jimmie shrilly, and even the dignified gentleman laughed at that. He could afford to, for they were letting down the gangplank again.
“He’s a prominent senator,” Babe whispered eagerly. “I heard a man say so. Think of having a boat wait for you! Well, we’re off at last. Dear mummy! Goodness, father waved so hard that he almost fell into the water! Betty Wales, are you crying too?”
The wharf was backing away from them; the crowd of excited people, shouting and waving flags and handkerchiefs, was only a great blur of color now.
“Well, that’s over,” said Madeline gaily. “I hate good-byes. Babe, cheer up. It’s only for three months, and you’re going to have the time of your life. Come and get bath hours and places for our steamer chairs, and then we can explore the boat a little before it’s time to eat our first and possibly our last meal afloat.”