"We were, then again we couldn't," answered her brother. "We had a very important appointment at Far Island."
"Ben, don't you want one of us to run her?" asked Ed. "We were to have had a try—"
"Nope. This here is the best fun I can have, and this boat is a beauty," replied the old man. "If I had one that could go like this and carry so many passengers I'd give up the dock."
"Yes, a boat like this would earn its own living," agreed Jack.
"Run her as long as you like to, Ben. It gives us a chance—ahem—"
"To sit nearer your sisters," finished Ben, with a sly laugh.
"All's well that ends well," quoted Belle to Ed, for she was scarcely able yet to draw a free breath—her anxiety had been too keen. "I cannot believe that we are all here together again."
"Just pinch me," said Ed laughing, "and if I don't give our war whoop you may be sure this is not me—I am still on the Robinson ranch—there, that was an unpremeditated pun; I mean the old Robinson Crusoe and I forgot that he was great-grandfather to the present Robinson twins."
"Say, Ed," put in Walter, "what do you say if we buy a houseboat?
This has the camp beaten to a frazzle."
"It's all right on such a night," replied Ed, "but houseboats, I believe, cost money, and our camp is rented to us for the season. Oh fickle Wallie! To fall in love with a motor boat, just because her name is Pet."
Walter was talking to Cora before Ed had finished speaking to him.
That was Walter's irresistible way with the girls.