"But it all comes from health," put in Bess. "Mother says Belle
would be just as sensible as I am if she were as strong."

"Sensible as you are?" and Cora laughed. Bess had such a candid way
of acknowledging her own good points. "Why, we have never noticed
it, Bess."

"Oh, you know what I mean. I simply mean that I do not fuss," and
Bess let her cheeks glow at least two shades deeper.

"Well it is sensible not to fuss, Bess, so we will grant your
point," finished Cora as they stepped on the boardwalk that led to
the boat landing. "Why, I didn't suppose they would light up with
that moon," she said. "That's the old watchman over there."

A man was swinging a lantern from the landing. He held it above his
head, then lowered it, and it was plain he was showing the light to
signal someone on the water.

Cora's heart did give a quickened response to her nerves as she saw
that something must be wrong. But she said not a word to her
companions.

"What are they after?" asked Belle timidly.

"Probably some fishermen casting their nets for bait," Cora answered
evasively. "You stay here, while I speak with old Ben."

Bess and Belle complied, although Bess felt she should have been the