Yet before her vacation was over Madge Morton was to perform for her
friend a further service equally great.




CHAPTER XIV

MADGE COMES INTO HER OWN AGAIN

Lillian and Eleanor were in the houseboat kitchen, making chocolate
fudge and a caramel cake.

"I think it will be too funny for anything," laughed Eleanor. "Let's
keep your surprise a secret from the others. It will be a delightful
way to celebrate Madge's return. Do you know that we have a hundred
and one things to do today?" she added, stirring her cake batter as
fast as she could. "This boat must be cleaned from stem to stern. I
told the boy from the farm to be here at nine o'clock this morning to
scrub the deck. He hasn't put in his appearance yet. I wonder which
one of us can be spared to go and hurry him along?"

"Let's ask Miss Jenny Ann," suggested Lillian slyly. "She has done her
share of the work already, and Mr. Brown is sketching the old garden
near the farmhouse. Haven't you noticed that our chaperon has been
very much interested in art lately? Mr. Brown wishes to paint a
picture of our houseboat. He has a fancy for this neighborhood. He
thinks it is so picturesque. 'Straws show which way the wind blows,'
you know. Watch the candy for me. I'll go ask Miss Jenny Ann if she