"How wonderfully they keep together!" she said. "Oh! but now they begin to separate. Look, there is a poor little one wobbling off all by itself. I wonder—I am afraid it is Peggy's. Yes, I am sure it is. Poor Peggy! Oh! the first three are going much faster than the rest. I wonder whose they are. How prettily they sail! Did you ever see anything prettier?"
"I see something infinitely prettier," said Mr. Belleville, fixing his eyes on his companion. But Margaret, wholly unconscious of his languishing gaze, was watching the race with an intensity of eagerness that left no room for any other impressions.
The three forward boats came on swiftly, their prows dipping lightly, their paper sails spread full to the breeze. Shouts came ringing over the water, from the other boats, and from the shore, where the rest of the campers were gathered in an excited knot.
"Jollycumpop!"
"Come-at-a-Body!"
"Good work, Jolly! Keep it up!"
"The Whale is gaining. Hit her up, Spermaceti!"
"Jollycumpop has it! Jollycumpop!"
"The Jolly is first," cried Margaret; "but the Come-at-a-Body is very, very close. Which do you think will win, Mr. Belleville?"
"Which do you wish to win?" asked Mr. Belleville.