"I'm afraid," he said, looking very serious, "that you don't understand. Your Cousin Aurelia is right."
Betty wilted. "You can't mean it!"
"I don't know exactly what does it. Maybe it's something in the water and air and food—"
Charles stared at the plates on the table in horror.
"It's nothing you need be afraid of," the captain went on. "You see, its effect just depends on the kind of person you are way inside."
Betty began to perk up. She eyed Charles appraisingly.
"Is Charles the right kind of person?" she asked.
"I'm sure he is, and your cousin is, too, though she keeps it pretty well hidden. If they weren't, Sugar Plum would soon let us know it, believe me." He grinned. "And now let's all go a-courtin'. I'll get my guitar and call Herman."
He went to the door and whistled, and instantly a large reddish creature came lolloping in. It saw the guitar and blinked eagerly.
Betty linked her arm in the captain's. "Come along, Charlie."