“Well, as I said,” said Winona hastily, for Louise looked as if she were going to suggest an earlier departure, “I’m going up to Wampoag this afternoon to buy things with the boys.”
“I have a ’gagement to make baskets with Frances,” said Florence, “so I can’t go with you.”
“I will if you want me,” offered Louise. “I have various things I want to say to you alone.”
“That sounds dark and dreadful!” said Helen good-naturedly. “I think we’d better not volunteer to go along, Marie!”
“We couldn’t, anyway,” Marie reminded her. “There’s a lot to do on those war-bonnets yet.”
So that afternoon Louise, Winona, Billy and Tom paddled up to the summer resort in quest of decorations.
“Have you any idea how you’re going to trim the canoe?” asked Louise.
“I’ve thought it all out,” said Winona. “I found the idea in an old book of ballads Marie brought along. It was called ‘The Ship o’ the Fiend.’”
“Pretty name!” said Louise. “Who’s going to be the fiend? Please don’t all speak at once!”