“The lockers are under the lower bunk and you can put your rough clothes in there. Bring your suit and hat into my cabin and I will put them in my closet. Ellen and I are in the ‘Skipper’s cabin.’ It has a double bunk that folds up against the side of the cabin and has the only full length closet in the ‘Boojum.’ Consequently, the whole bunch will have to keep their good clothes in it,” said Mabel. “And now, if you and Ellen are ready, let’s go up on deck and maybe we can pick up some dope on how to put up the sails.”
The four girls ran up the companion, the two newcomers giving their heads a terrific bump on the main boom.
“Mabel, you horrible creature, why didn’t you tell us to duck?” wailed Jane, holding her throbbing head.
“No use,” answered Mabel in cruel tones. “Daddy says that everybody has to butt their heads a certain number of times on the main boom of a yacht and the sooner they begin, the sooner it is over.” Then relenting a bit, she added, “I’ll warn you to this extent; whenever we are at anchor and whenever the sails are down, that is just where the boom is going to be.”
The girls were standing in the cockpit, looking with admiration at the immaculate deck gleaming in the July sun, and the shining brass work. “Oh! just imagine keeping a house as clean as this. It would keep you working every minute,” said Ellen.
Mr. Wing let go the rope he was coiling and turned a beaming countenance on the girls. “I’ve got a splendid idea,” he said. “You girls can take entire charge of the metal work on the good ship ‘Boojum’ and, if I see a single dull place on it, I’ll put half of you in irons and the rest of you on hard tack and water.”
“There are no irons on board but flat irons, girls,” Mabel wriggled an unbelievable length of pink tongue at her father, “so don’t let him scare you.”
“Well, anyway I can see by your feet that you are very wise children,” said Mr. Wing as he went forward to see what Jack had done with the rope he had been left to coil.
“What in the world does he mean, Mabel?” giggled Frances. “Your father is the funniest man!”