“That! You want my opinion on that?” cried the girl, turning to her guardian in some surprise.
“Oh, no, the one next to it. The Bluebird.”
Ruth changed her view, and saw a craft which brought to her lips exclamations of delight, no less than to the lips of her sisters. For it was not a “rusty canaler” they beheld, but a trim craft, a typical houseboat, with a deck covered with a green striped awning and set with willow chairs, and a cabin, the windows of which, through their draped curtains, gave hint of delights within.
“Oh, how lovely!” murmured Agnes.
“A dream!” whispered Ruth. “But why do you bring us here to show us this?” she asked with much interest.
“Because,” began Mr. Howbridge, “I want to know if you would like—”
Just then an excited voice behind the little party burst out with:
“Oh, Mr. Howbridge, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Neale O’Neil came hurrying along the towpath, seemingly much excited.
“I hope that Supreme Court decision hasn’t gone against me,” Ruth heard her guardian murmur. “If that case is lost—”
And then Neale began to talk excitedly.