“Oh, not really,” protested Mr. Evans, “think of the distance!”
“Nothing at all, nothing at all,” the judge replied. “I would be most happy to make some slight return for your gracious hospitality.”
The Winnebagos and Sandwiches were delighted beyond measure at the thought of going home in such grand style, and much as they had dreaded the moment of leaving before, they could hardly wait for it now.
259“I’ve been sent home in people’s automobiles lots of times,” said Hinpoha, “but just fancy being taken home hundreds of miles in a yacht! Doesn’t it make you dizzy, though?”
In spite of the delight of steaming away on the spick and span yacht, there was heartfelt regret in every wave of the hand that bade farewell to Ellen’s Isle, when the hour of leaving came, and never had it seemed fairer than when they looked upon its wooded height for the last time. Out in the channel they passed the lighthouse where the Hares had put their heads into the noose, and there was much laughter as they recounted the story for Nyoda’s benefit. Still farther on was the reef where the Huronic had met her fate; the salvage crews were still at work on her. In the clear sunshine and with the calm waters dimpling around them it seemed impossible to believe that this was the same lake that had worked itself into such an ungovernable fury but a short time before.
The Sea Gull was as swift as her white namesake, and flew over the sparkling lake like a real gull. So taken up were the Winnebagos and Sandwiches with the appointments of the yacht and such fun they had going anywhere they pleased on board by day or night, that before they knew it they were in the harbor of Detroit where Katherine and Nyoda and Sherry were to be set ashore to finish their respective journeys by train.
260With Katherine went Eeny-Meeny, nicely crated, to be a companion for her loneliness, as well as Sandhelo, who, by vote of council, was awarded to her because the others would no longer be able to take care of him, and because he had always had more of an affinity for Katherine than for any of the others. It was the fun they had over Eeny-Meeny and Sandhelo that made the parting less difficult. Katherine was the most hilarious of any. Grasping her umbrella by the bottom, she recited a husky poem to the effect that
“Their parting was sad, but not tearful,
It happened at four by the clock,
The sail-aways tried to be cheerful,
And the stay-ashores tried to be keerful,
So’s not to get shoved off the dock!”
“We’ll all be together again some time, I feel it in my bones,” said Hinpoha cheerily. “You just can’t separate us Winnebagos.”
Farewells were being said on all sides. “Good-bye, Nyoda! Remember the visit you’re going to make us next summer!”