Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/269

Rh isn’t like cousin Bess one bit, and I don’t think I like her as well.”

Fred looked horrified at Rob’s alarming frankness, but Mr. Muir only laughed, as he said,—

“I think perhaps I agree with you, Rob.”

As the boat drew near the landing, no one was in sight about the piazza or lawn of Island  Den. Frank Muir pulled out his watch.

“Only half-past three now,” he said, as if to himself; “still, I think I shall risk a call, even  if it is rather early, and I am not in full dress. Rob, do you think your cousins would see me now? As long as I am all here, I think I’ll not go away without seeing them.”

“Oh, I’m sure they will,” said Rob confidently, as he offered his arm to Fred, and they turned towards the house. As they came under the windows, he called out loudly,—

“Cousin Bess, come on down here! Fred and I were carried off down the river, and I want to tell you how we got home again.”

“In just a minute, Rob,” answered Bessie’s voice from above.

Rob turned to his new friend with a smile of pleased anticipation.