“That is just the thing!” exclaimed Agnes briskly. “The big palm is the most prominent thing about here. Call it Palm Island.”
“Why not?” cried Ruth.
“I subscribe to that name,” said Luke.
So the refuge of the Corner House girls and their friends came to be called Palm Island. That Dot insisted upon calling it “plam” instead of “palm” made little difference. She was always mispronouncing new words.
Just at present, however, Dot and Tess and Neale O’Neil did not know that the island had been christened. They came back briskly from around the point at about the time Luke got a good fire to burning on the beach. The coffee was on and Mr. Howbridge was boiling cereal which had been aboard the motor-boat.
“Where are my eggs?” demanded Agnes, shouting to the exploring trio just as soon as she caught sight of them.
Neale O’Neil raised a bundle he held in his hand. It was a big bandana handkerchief, knotted together at the corners, and evidently containing something heavy. The little girls were both smiling.
“Eggs for every one,” said Neale cheerfully. “Our hens laid very well this time. Here are eighteen, and that should be enough for seven people, don’t you think?”
“You never found eggs, Neale O’Neil!” cried Agnes.
“Yes, he did! Yes, he did!” cried Dot, jumping up and down with delight.