that a sudden unintentional bounce on the part of either might
send the other one into the water. Regardless of their entreaties
he turned around and headed the boat for home.

"Ye're too many for me, Miss Midge," he exclaimed; "if I land you
safe this trip ye can get somebody else to row ye the next time.
I'm having nervous prostration with your tricks and your didoes.
NOW, will ye be good?"

This last exasperated question was caused by the fact that a
sudden bounce of Molly's caused the boat to lurch and Carter's
swift-moving oar sent a drenching wave all over Midge.

"Pooh, water doesn't hurt!" cried the victim. "I like it. Do it
again, Molly!"

"Don't you do it, Miss Molly!" roared Carter, bending to his oars
and pulling fast in an effort to get home before these
unmanageable children had passed all bounds.

"Girls," piped Stella, plaintively from her end of the boat, "if
you don't stop carrying on, I shall cry."

This threat had more effect than Carter's reprimands, and, though
the two madcaps giggled softly, they did sit pretty still for the
remainder of the trip.

Once more on the dock, Marjorie shook herself like a big dog, and
declared she wasn't very wet, after all. "And I'm very much
obliged to you, Carter," she said, smiling at the old man; "you