Priscilla's Spies

by George A. Birmingham

“I don’t know,” said Priscilla, “that this is exactly an ideal place for luncheon, but we can have it here if you like, and in some ways I’m rather inclined to. You never know what may happen if you put things off. Last time the but was snatched out of our mouths by a callous destiny just as it was beginning to smell really good. By the way, Jimmy, what did you do with the soup?”

“It’s there beyond, Miss, where you left it.”

“I expect it’s all boiled away by this time,” said Priscilla, “but of course the Primus stove may have gone out. You never know beforehand how those patent machines will act. If it has gone out the soup will be all right, though coldish. Perhaps we’d better go back there.”

“Which would you like to do yourself, Priscilla,” said Miss Rutherford.

“Now that those spies have escaped us again,” said Priscilla, “it doesn’t matter to me in the least where we go. But this place is a bit stony for sitting in for long. I’m beginning to feel already rather as if a plougher had ploughed upon my back and made large furrows; but of course I’m thinking principally of Frank on account of his sprained ankle. A grassy couch would be much pleasanter for him, and there is grass where we left the Primus stove. We can row back. It isn’t a very long pull.”

“The wind’s dropped, Miss, with the fall of the tide,” said Jimmy, “and what’s left of it has gone round to the southward.”

“That settles it,” said Priscilla. “Frank, you and Miss Rutherford, go in the Tortoise. Jimmy and I will row the other boat and tow you.”

“I can row all right,” said Frank.

To be treated as incapable by Priscilla when they were alone together was unpleasant but tolerable. To be held up as an object of scorn to Miss Rutherford was not tolerable. He had already exposed himself to her contempt by running her down. He was anxious to show her that he was not altogether a fool in a boat.

“You can’t, much,” said Priscilla. “At least you didn’t seem as if you could yesterday; but if you like you can try. We’ll take the oars out of the Tortoise into your boat, Jimmy, and pull four.”