The children promised, and then gave themselves up to the delight
of holding their hands in the water and feeling the soft ripples
run through their fingers.

The row down the river was perfect. The balmy June day, with its
clear air and blue sky, the swift, steady motion of the boat
impelled by Carter's long, strong strokes, and the soothing
sensation of the rushing water subdued even the high spirits of
Midge and Molly into a sort of gentle, tranquil happiness.




CHAPTER VIII

A MEMORY BOOK


With a few deft strokes Carter brought the boat to land on a long,
smooth, shelving beach. A crunch of the keel on the pebbles, and
then the boat was half its length on shore. Stella, in the bow,
grasped the sides of the boat tightly with both hands, as if the
shore were more dangerous than the water. Carter stepped out, and
drew the boat well up on land, and assisted the girls out.

Stella stepped out gingerly, as if afraid of soiling her dainty
boots; but Midge and Molly, with a hop, skip, and jump, bounded
out on the beach and danced round in glee.

"I do believe," cried Marjorie, "that this is Blossom Banks! For