“Killykinick ahoy!” shouted dad, making a speaking trumpet of his hands.
“Aye, aye!” answered Captain Jeb, with his crooked smile. “You’re ‘The Polly’ of Beach Cliff. What’s wanted, Mr. Forester? Clams or lobsters?”—for in these latter days Killykinick did something of a trade in both with the pleasure boats and cottages along the coast.
“Well, we don’t like to call them either; do we, Polly?” laughed dad, as he stepped ashore, while the little girls crowded to the deck rail. “‘The Polly’ is sailing under petticoat orders to-day and is scouring the waters in search of four boys that, we understand, you have here at Killykinick.”
“We have,” answered Captain Jeb,—“or at least the Padre here has. They’re none of mine.”
“I am no Padre, as I’ve told ye again and again, Jeroboam,” interposed Brother Bart. “I am only Brother Bartholomew from St. Andrew’s College. And I have four boys here, but they’ve been under my eye day and night,” he continued anxiously; “so, in God’s name, what are ye after them for, sir? They have done ye nor yours no harm, I am sure.”
“None in the world,” said Mr. Forester quickly, as he saw his light speech was not understood. “I was only joking with Captain Jeb. My mission here, I assure you, is most friendly. Permit me to introduce myself, Brother Bar—Bar—Bartholomew—”
“Ye can make it Bart, sir, for short; ’most everyone does,” said the good Brother, nodding.
“Then, Brother Bart, I am Mr. Pemberton Forester, of Beach Cliff. I am also known by the briefer and pleasanter name of this little lady’s ‘dad,’ and it is in that official capacity I am here to-day. It seems this little girl of mine met your boys a few days ago at Beach Cliff, where they rendered her most valuable service.”
“One—it was only one of them, dad!” corrected Miss Polly’s silvery voice. “It was only Dan Dolan who caught my bird and—and—”
“Well, at all events, the acquaintance progressed most pleasantly and rapidly, as my daughter’s acquaintance is apt to progress; and it resulted in an equally pleasant understanding that the four young gentlemen were to come to a little festivity we are giving in honor of Polly’s birthday,—a garden party in our grounds, between the hours of six and nine. This is the occasion of our present visit, Brother Bart. Fearing that travelling facilities might not be at the young gentlemen’s disposal, we have come to take them to Beach Cliff. If you would like to accompany them—”