shore exactly like that one before we reach the landing. How many
knots an hour do you suppose this ship travels, my fair cousin?'
asked Geoffrey.

'I could tell better,' replied Bell calmly, 'if I could ever remember
how many knots made a mile, or how many miles made a knot; but I
always forget.'

'Oh, see! There's a porpoise!' cried Jack. 'Polly, why is a
porpoise like a water-lily?'

But before he could say 'Guess,' Phil, Geoff, and the girls had drawn
themselves into a line, and, with a whispered 'One, two, three,' to
secure a good start, replied in concert, 'We-give-it-up!'

'What a deafening shout!' cried Aunt Truth, coming out of the cabin.
'What's the matter, pray?'

'Nothing, aunty,' laughed Polly. 'But we have formed a society for
suppressing Jack's conundrums, and this is our first public meeting.
How do you like the watchword?'

Aunt Truth smiled. 'It was very audible,' she said. 'Yours is
evidently not a secret society.'

'I wish I could find out who originated this plan,' quoth Jack,
murderously. 'But I suppose it's one of you girls, and I can't
revenge myself. Oh, when will this barrier between the sexes be
removed!'