“Well, you’re my niece, and I can libel you if I wish,” was the spirited response.
“But Molly isn’t your niece, auntie.”
“Never mind; she insists on keeping company with you. Under those circumstances she must expect to take home to herself most of the things I say about you.”
“I’m not worried,” said Molly. “I suppose we are all you say we are, and more, Mrs. Calvert.”
“That’s a charitable view to take of it,” said Dr. Sterling.
The engines were working so well that before they realized it the Nautilus was lying snugly moored to her wharf in the North River.
Mr. Ronald’s guests bade him good-by and left the boat, after making him promise to be at Dorothy’s concert in the evening.
At the hotel, early as was the hour, Dorothy found Herr Deichenberg and Mr. Ludlow in conference over her continued absence.
“My goodness! My goodness!” cried the music master. “Would you drive us crazy, Miss Dorothy, that you stay avay all night and make us believe you are lost in the storm?”
“I did not make you believe anything, Herr Deichenberg. You took that upon yourself. And perhaps I was lost in the storm, sir,” replied the girl, then extended her hand to Mr. Ludlow.