“Don’t be ridiculous!” exclaimed Agnes, quite in earnest. “What do you suppose it means, Ruth?”
“It seems awfully funny,” observed the oldest Kenway girl. “‘Christopher Columbus, 1492.’ It’s not possible.”
“One thing sure,” said Neale dryly: “They spelled just as poorly in those days as they do now.”
“It can’t be possible!” exclaimed Agnes.
“I remember Christopher Columbus,” said Tess practically. “We learned about him at school.”
“So we did!” shouted Dot, with sudden energy. “You know—‘First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his coun-tri-men!’”
“Pshaw!” exclaimed Tess. “That was George Washington, Dot.”
“Well, it is a most remarkable thing,” Ruth said. “Can’t we keep him to show Mr. Howbridge and Luke?”
“Sure will,” declared Neale. “Wait till I drive him up above highwater mark. And into the shade, too; for this sun would dry him to powder, seems to me, in an hour. I’ll turn him over in the shade and then let’s all take a swim. It should be safe enough in the pool where the Isobel is anchored.”
“I’d like to know how you think we girls are going to go bathing, Neale O’Neil, when we haven’t any bathing suits with us?” complained Agnes.