"Yes, indeed!" was the reply. "It's nicer than that vessel we came in. Let's stay here."
"Oh, we can't. I heard the Captain talking about going back, and they'll certainly want to take us along."
"But don't let us go. We can hide in the woods where they can't find us."
"I think not," laughed Elsie; "we value you too much not to hunt you up before we go."
"Dear me! I'd take good care they didn't get a chance to play that game," exclaimed one of the little cousins.
"I think the best plan will be to pet them so much that they won't be willing to be left behind," said Elsie.
"And that's what we'll do," said Ned.
Just then there was an arrival from Torriswood and that put a stop, for the time, to the chatter of the Tee-tees.
Dr. Percival and his Maud, with their guests from the north, were of the party, and all remained until near bedtime that night, when they went away with the pleasant assurance that the whole connection at that time in that neighborhood would spend the following day with them in their lovely Torriswood home, should nothing occur to prevent.