CHAPTER ELEVEN
WITA-TONKAN LEFT IN CHARGE
AT breakfast, Sunday morning, Mrs. Remington announced a startling piece of news.
“Friends, children, and Sagamore-in-the-making! I have to surprise you! Aunt Edith and I are going to Boston on a visit. While I am away you girls are to stay with Aunt Flo-Flo at Rosemary. Anna and Teddy are going to Isola Bella, and you boys are to remain with Fred in charge of the Island. How do you like the plan?”
A mixed chorus arose: “Oh, don’t go!” and “Fine! fine!” “We’ll be good!” and “How long will you stay?”
Mrs. Remington laughed but waited to hear from Fred. He rose and keeping an eagle eye on his future vassals, proclaimed: “Order shall be kept, or I, Wita-tonkan, will perish in the attempt! Wough! a Black Bear has spoken!”
“When you are in charge, you can really earn your title of ‘Island Chief,’ Fred,” remarked Elizabeth.
“When are we going to Mrs. Charlton’s?” asked Trixie.
“I suppose you girls can wait and see me off. You can pack your suit-cases for a week or ten days and the Captain can set you ashore at the Rosemary landing after leaving me at the steamer wharf. We are going by the Boston boat you know—it is much cooler.”
What a bustle there was during the two days that ensued.