“And of course, we are bound to find many wonderful things on Palm Island,” Ruth declared soberly.
CHAPTER XIV—MANY NEW THINGS
After all, that was the gayest of gay breakfasts. Tess and Dot did not appreciate the gravity of the situation in any case; they were only glad to be off “that pitchy boat,” as Tess proclaimed it, and there was so much on the island that was novel that the little girls could not fail to be excited and interested every moment of the time.
Besides, Tess and Dot were in Neale’s secret of the eggs laid by the wonderful four-legged hen without feathers. This description of the wonder pleased the little folks very much.
“I don’t see what you mean by all this mystery,” declared Agnes, tasting her first fried egg gingerly enough.
Then she ate it all down very quickly, for it was now late in the morning, and she had been hungry for her breakfast.
“Isn’t it all right?” demanded Neale.
“It tastes kind of—of fishy, I think,” said Agnes. “But I don’t mind it.”
“I suppose,” said Luke gravely, “that if there are hens here on the island they probably frequently dine off the shellfish along the shore. So that would explain the flavor of these eggs.”
“There’s a trick somewhere,” sighed Agnes. “But never mind. If these eggs are the work of legerdemain, Neale, you can wave your wand again. I’ll take another.”