Then the Bottomless Pitt fell into line and said he felt the same about it as Slim did, and that settled the question. Of course, after that there was nothing for the Monkey and Peter and Dan to do but fall into line.
Then after their decision had been made entirely by themselves, Mr. Evans rose and told them in a few words why he had been anxious to accommodate the judge, and how glad he was that they were honestly willing to do it. They all blushed under his praise, but all knew down in their hearts that if it hadn’t been for Katherine they never would have done it.
“How soon will they be here?” asked Gladys.
“They are awaiting our answer in St. Pierre,” said her father. “And if we are favorably disposed we are to go over with the launch tomorrow and fetch them back.”
“The die is cast,” said Uncle Teddy gravely. “Now for the fireworks!”
74CHAPTER V
THE DÉBUT OF EENY-MEENY
“The person who invented tan khaki,” remarked Katherine, “ought to have a place in the hall of fame along with the other benefactors of humanity. It’s as strong as sheet iron, so it doesn’t tear even on a barbed wire fence; it doesn’t show the mud; grass stains and green paint are positively ornamental. What more could be desired?”
Katherine and Slim were sitting on the bluff looking idly over the lake. Around them there was a great silence, for the island was practically deserted. All the other Winnebagos and Sandwiches had gone over to St. Pierre in the launch with Mr. Evans and Uncle Teddy to fetch the Dalrymple Twins. Katherine had been wandering around the island in one of her absent-minded fits when they were ready to start and did not appear when called, and Slim had fallen asleep under a tree and they didn’t have the heart to wake him. After they were gone Katherine stumbled upon Slim in the course of her wandering and dropped an acorn down the back of his collar. Slim woke up grumbling that he never could have a moment’s peace, but readily accepted Katherine’s invitation to sit on the bluff and throw pine cones at the floating signal which marked the 75 suck hole. Katherine, with her usual heedlessness, had slid down part of the grassy embankment, and, as a result, the hem of her skirt was decorated at uneven intervals with large grass stains. She eyed the combination of tan and green thus affected with unconcealed admiration. It was then that she made the remark about the inventor of tan khaki being a benefactor of humanity.
Slim tactfully agreed that the grass stains added to the artistic effect of the dress, and added that he thought tan and green were Katherine’s special colors. It had just occurred to Slim that Katherine might be persuaded to make a pan of fudge while they waited for the others to return. He leaned back at a comfortable angle and waited for her to digest the compliment. The lake seemed enchanted today, an iridescent pool where fairies bathed. The water had a pale, silvery green tinge, with here and there a great bed of deepest purple encircling a center of bright blue–those contrasts of color which are the marvel of our northern lakes.