“Thanks, sweet sister,” said Phil, gratefully. 131
By this time the little launch had noisily chug-chugged its way among the various craft, small and large, and had finally come to a standstill beside a beautiful boat, upon whose bow and stern was engraved the name “Vigil.”
The Applegates, proud owners of the “Vigil,” crowded eagerly to the rail to welcome their guests.
“Oh, I’m so glad you could come,” cried Mrs. Applegate, as Phil and Mr. Payton climbed the short ladder preparatory to helping the women folk on board. “The Dickensons and Archie Blackstone—we came over with them, you know—are on board.”
There was an enthusiastic meeting between the fellow-voyagers, for they had formed a sort of mutual-admiration society while on board the “Mauretania” and were only too glad to come together again.
While their fathers and mothers were talking, the young folks had seized upon the opportunity to look about them. They were just at the height of this delightful process when Mrs. Applegate hailed them.
“Don’t you girls want to come down in the cabin and take your wraps off?” she called.
“Surely; we’re coming right away,” Lucile answered for them.
“Why do you have to fix up any?” protested Archie. “You look just fine just as you are. What’s the use of wasting an hour?”
“We’re not going to fix up,” denied Lucile; then added, “It won’t take us an hour, anyway. We’ll be back in five minutes.”