“If we would warm up after bathing by running and jumping we could swim in ice-water without danger,” declared Billy.
“We might try that—and do the ‘Hop, step, and jump,’ for a coup and see how it will warm us up after bathing,” added Fred.
Mrs. Remington overheard the boys planning and she now interrupted. “I’ll tell you boys what you might do! You know that bare rocky plateau on top of the Island where the sun always shines so hot? Well, take some sun-baths there after you come out of the cold water. Take an old cot and a spare mattress and leave it there if you like. Besides, you can always use the canoe cushions. By getting tanned all over you will harden and fortify your bodies so that a little chill of the water will not affect you as it is apt to do now.”
This was considered good advice and the boys carried out the plan and resorted to the rock the very next morning.
“In case any one of you should get the shivers after the bath, run to the bungalow and have Mose give you a cup of hot soup—it will warm you through at once,” called Mrs. Remington, as the boys left the float-stage where the others were talking.
That evening while every one sat about reading until it came time for bed, Billy suddenly entered the living-room dressed as Charlie Chaplin. He had not been missed from the family party so the surprise was all the more genuine. He had on a pair of Fred’s long trousers, a black coat of his father’s, a gigantic pair of old shoes from Mose’s wardrobe, and a cane found in the hall-closet. He had cut a small piece of black fur from the rug and attached it to his upper lip with a piece of spruce gum.
Billy was an excellent mimic and could appear most serious upon occasion, and now he threw every one into spasms of laughter by his mimicry of the famous comedian. Before long, all of the audience wanted to act too, so the bungalow living-room became a scene for a motion picture play where fear, joy, sorrow and crime were registered by villains, hero and heroine.
“Say, wouldn’t it be fun to have a character party,” suggested Elizabeth, when every one had to stop and rest for a time.
“Oh, yes! Let’s do it!” cried a number of eager voices.
“Children, you must go to bed! Why, it is fully an hour past the usual time,” reminded Mrs. Remington.