“So that’s what you boys have been up to on these mysterious trips of yours, is it?” asked Cora, shaking her finger at them.
“Caught with the goods,” grinned Jack.
“Guilty, with extenuating circumstances,” admitted Walter.
“We throw ourselves on the mercy of the court,” laughed Paul.
“You see,” explained Jack, “it didn’t seem the right thing to us that such pretty girls should sail in such a shabby boat.”
“Well, all I have to say is that you boys are perfect darlings to go to all this trouble for us,” declared Bess emphatically.
“It looks like
“‘An ivory shallop, silken-sailed,’”
quoted Belle.
“Except that there are no sails,” laughed Cora. “But the ivory part is all right. Really, girls, it looks almost too pretty to use. Talk about Cleopatra’s barge!”