were awful good to take us for such a lovely boat-ride, and I'm
sorry we carried on so, but truly, Carter, it was such a lovely
boat that I just couldn't help it! And you do row splendid!"

The compliment was sincere, and by no means made with the
intention of softening Carter's heart, but it had that effect, and
he beamed on Midget as he replied:

"Ah, that's all right, me little lady. Ye just naturally can't
help bouncin' about like a rubber ball. Ye have to work off yer
animal spirits somehow, I s'pose. But if so be that ye could sit a
bit quieter, I might be injuced to take ye agin some other day.
But I'd rather yer grandma'd be along."

"Oho!" laughed Marjorie. "It would be funny to have Grandma in a
boat! She'd sit stiller than Stella, and I don't believe she'd
like it, either."

With Stella in the middle, the three girls intertwined their arms
and skipped back to the house. Marjorie and Molly had found that
the only way to make Stella keep up with them was to urge her
along in that fashion.

"Good-by," said Marjorie, as the three parted at the gate; "be
sure to come over to-morrow morning; and, Stella, if you'll bring
your paintbox, it will be lovely for you to paint those paper
dolls."

The three girls had become almost inseparable companions, and
though Midge and Molly were more congenial spirits, Stella acted