As Mr. Cope tore open the yellow envelopes, Ethan curiously observed his old-time friend, and when the telegrams had been read, said,—
“I hope ye haven’t had any bad news, Jock?”
Mr. Cope laughed as he replied, “Rather bad for me, I fear. I shall have to return to New York to-night. You see, Ethan, I can’t have more than a day off. I almost envy you your freedom.”
“Did they send ye word in the telegrams?” inquired the boatman.
“Yes. They are about important business engagements.”
“Bus’ness!” exclaimed Ethan. “I didn’t s’pose any one ever telegraphed jist about bus’ness. I thought nobody ever telegraphed unless somebody was dead. Hi Perkins once telegraphed to his ma when he thought he was goin’ to die with the pewmony; but it costs four shillin’ for ten words, I’m told. Must be mighty important business what would make anybody send ye five or six on ’em.”
“It is important; so important that I shall have to go back to the Bay and start for home to-night. I’m sorry, too. But then, if a business man doesn’t have very much outside pleasure in life, his wife and children can have it, and he must take his in knowing that.”
Soon after supper Mr. Cope bade good-by to the boatman and boys, and with Mrs. Cope and Jock departed for Alexandria Bay. Jock was to remain at the hotel for the night, but was to return to the camp in the morning, though his mother was to stay at the hotel until the boys should be ready to break camp and go home with her.
Apparently Jock’s mother enjoyed the experience of the days which followed as much as did the boys themselves. Every day she was rowed over to Pine Tree Island, and sometimes the boys were persuaded to return with her for a dinner at the hotel, or to be present of an evening when something of special interest was occurring in the parlors.
Her friends, the Clarkes, also did much to add to the pleasure, for with their yacht they made various trips among the islands, or planned for picnics which were a never failing source of delight to all.