Margery soon returned with word that the Halsted girls would accept the supper invitation, and that Mary Turner would be delighted to come.
Margery’s eyes were twinkling, and it was plain that Mary Turner had said something else that was not to be repeated.
“All right! That’s great!” said Trenwith, happily. “I’ll run back to Green Cove in my car, and come around here again in the launch. It was to follow me there. I’ll be back soon.”
Indeed, in half an hour he was back, and Eleanor with Zara, Bessie and Dolly, were taken out to the Columbia in two trips of the little dinghy which served as her tender. The Columbia was a big, roomy, motor launch, without a deck, but containing a little cabin, and a comfortable lounging space aft, which was covered with an awning.
“What a delightful boat!” said Eleanor, as she settled herself comfortably amid the cushions Trenwith had provided for her. “I should think you could have an awfully good time on her.”
“I’ve used her a lot,” said Trenwith. “There’s room in the cabin for two fellows to sleep, if they don’t mind being crowded, and of course in warm weather one can sleep out here. I’ve used her quite a lot to go duck hunting, and for little cruises when I’ve been all tired out. Charlie Jamieson has been with me several times.”
“I’ve heard him talk about the good times he’s had on her. It was stupid of me to have forgotten.”
“She’s not very fast or very fashionable, but she is good fun. I’d rather have a steady, slow engine that you can depend on than one of those racing motors that’s always getting out of order.”
“All ready to start, sir, Mr. Trenwith,” said Bates, his ‘crew,’ then, and Trenwith took the wheel.
“All right,” he said. “Let her go, Bates! You can steer from the wheel in the bow after we get started, right down the coast. We’ll lie to off Humber Island and eat supper.”