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170 "Yes," I said; "and perhaps we had better return." Whereupon we made a start for the palace. On the way back I felt quite well^ and in my usual spirits.

"Is this the first trip of the season?" I inquired.

"No," she answered. "The first excursion to Scalascala took place during the time you were absent on the Penguin expedition."

"Yes," I said; "I remember now hearing of it before leaving Tehana. What is the name of the floating village, again? I cannot think of it now."

"The Dorondoro," she answered; "the same as we leave by. This is her second trip. I was on her the first time. It was quite enjoyable, though we did not venture out as far as the icefields. However, on this occasion, I believe that it is intended to make a longer stay."

"I suppose," I remarked carelessly, "that you added considerably to the happiness of some one else during the last trip."

"I don't know," was the frank reply, and she looked at me in a very innocent manner with her beautiful dark eyes.

I now felt the remark was untimely on my part. "They all appeared to enjoy themselves on the Dorondoro," she continued, after a pause.