“It’s just like a sleeping car on the railroad.”
“Yes, or one of those staterooms on some steamers.”
“A person could sleep as soundly here as in a bed at home,” was Ruth’s comment.
“Yes, unless the houseboat rocked like a ship,” said Agnes.
“I don’t think it could rock much on the canal.”
“No, but it might on a river, or a lake. I guess a houseboat like this can go almost anywhere.”
There were two sets of sleeping rooms, one on either side of a middle hall or passageway. Then came a small bathroom. And back of that was something that made Neale cry out in delight.
“Why, the boat has an engine!” exclaimed the boy. “It runs by motor!”
“Yes, the Bluebird is a motor houseboat,” said Mr. Howbridge, with a smile. “It really belongs on Lake Macopic, but to get it there through the canal mules will have to be used, as this boat has such a big propeller that it would wash away the canal banks. It is not allowed to move it through the canal under its own power.”
“That’s a dandy engine all right!” exclaimed Neale, and he knew something about them for one summer he had operated a small motor craft on the Gentory River, as well as running the Corner House girls’ automobile for them. “I wish I could run this,” he went on with a sigh, “but I don’t suppose there’s any chance.”