“What is it?” asked the lawyer.
“Why couldn’t we hire Hank Dayton for a mule driver?” Neale asked. “He’s rough, but I think he’s a decent man and honest, and he knows a lot about the canal and boats and mules.”
“It might not be a bad idea,” assented Mr. Howbridge. “We’ll find him and ask him, Neale. And it would be killing two birds with one stone. He could help you in your search for your father. Yes, I think that will be a good plan. Girls, I’ll leave you here to look over the Bluebird at your leisure while Neale and I go to interview the mule driver.”
“And I hope he will be able to tell you how to find your father, Neale,” said Agnes, in a low voice.
“I hope so, too,” added the boy. “You don’t know, Aggie, how much I’ve wanted to find father.”
“Of course I do, Neale. And you’ll find him, too!”
Neale went on with Mr. Howbridge, somewhat cheered by Agnes’ sympathy.
[CHAPTER VII—MAKING PLANS]
Left to themselves on the Bluebird, Ruth, Agnes, Dot and Tess went over every part of it again, from the engine room to the complete kitchen and living apartments.
“Neale will just love fussing around that motor,” said Agnes.