“But we will get together in the morning and plan out some dandy costumes, shall we?” cried Billy, as they all started for bed.
And that was how the idea started which developed later into the Grand Masked Ball.
CHAPTER SIX
THE PICNIC AT SPRUCE ISLAND
“YO ho, ye Sunset Islanders!” called a voice from the doorway of the bungalow, and there stood the Captain from Isola Bella with a note in his hand.
“Oh Benton, you’re not going to take me home?” cried Miriam, watching Mrs. Remington’s face anxiously as she opened the letter.
“No indeed, Miriam—it is an invitation,” said Mrs. Remington. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear of a picnic planned on Spruce Island for to-morrow if the day is fine. Uncle Bill says that the tide will not be quite right—high in the middle of the day and ebb all afternoon, but we can all go down in the launch.”
“Oh, that will be great!” cried Paul.
“I think Uncle Bill’s a brick!” exclaimed Billy.
“If there’s a cap full of wind I’m going to sail down, mother, and add to my mileage for the sailing coup,” added Fred, quick to take advantage of such a good opportunity.