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 eight. Laurie was just thinking that perhaps we ought to start earlier, weren't you, old son?"

"Er—oh, yes! Sure! Still, eight will do, I guess."

"Then that's arranged," said Polly. "Now let's talk about the boat some more."

The next morning they all set out according to schedule to show Miss Comfort the Pequot Queen. Laurie had doubts as to the wisdom of this, for he thought it would have been better if they could have fixed up the boat a little before exhibiting it. But, as Polly said, Miss Comfort would never have waited. Laurie need not have entertained any uneasiness. Even the river threw Miss Comfort into a tremor of delight, and after that she walked so fast that Mrs. Deane had hard work to keep up with her. When, while still at a distance, Laurie pointed out the ''Pequot Queen'' with a few stammered words of apology, Miss Comfort stopped still, clasped her hands, this morning adorned with black silk mitts, and gazed long and silently. The boys viewed her doubtfully and anxiously, but doubt and anxiety speedily fled, for the little lady's face expressed something very close to rapture. The boys