“Easy, Dicky,” said Maurice. “I think that I have found out what is the matter. There! hand me that oil can, Dick.”
In a few minutes the engine was going merrily, while Ann declared that its sound was the best music she had heard in some time.
“Fie, cousin,” said Maurice, climbing around to his seat by Ann again, “better than those dulcet strains I started you all with a while ago?”
“Your voice was all right, Maury,” laughed Ann, “but starting the engine was better yet. Did you find the trouble, or may we have a repetition of the act?”
“I found it, and unless something else goes wrong we’ll be home as usual!”
It was worth the trying time in “Alligator Circle” to see the exquisite sky and water of sound, ocean and the little body of water known as Lake Mabel. Then came the windings of the New River, past Tarpon Bend and into the passage between the well-known shores where the Bentley yacht was docked.
Owing to the long delay in the canal, they were late for lunch and not even the juicy oranges had dulled the edges of their youthful appetites. The boys took them to the best hotel this time, where they were served at a table of their own, decorated with flowers for the occasion, with special favors of hibiscus blossoms at each plate, a hurried order, telephoned after their arrival, but eminently satisfactory to all the girls.
They were just finishing when Mr. Tyson entered the dining-room and came over to the table, whereupon all the young gentlemen rose at once. “Sit down, boys,” said Mr. Tyson. “Don’t let me interrupt you. I just want to tell Maurice that I want him to accompany me on a little trip after lunch, if he can excuse himself. Have you any special plans, Maurice, that will be upset?”
“None at all, Father. I think that there was some plan about going to the beach this afternoon,—Las Olas Beach. I can be spared as well as not.”
“I stopped at the yacht and Mrs. Bentley told me where you are. I have had my lunch and will wait for you in the lobby. Mother wants me to look up a little property for her.”