Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/30

20 dotted it, and upon the shores of the mainland, were gay with flags and banners; the sail up the lake promises to be a most delightful one.

And it would have been so—delightful for the whole party—had it not been for a single member. The Fox could not get over her unfriendly feeling, although Ruth Fielding gave her no cause at all. Ruth tried to talk to Mary, at first; but finding the older girl determined to be unpleasant, she let her alone.

On the boat the three boys gathered camp-chairs for the party up forward, and their pocket money went for candy and other goodies with which to treat their sisters and the latter's friends. There were not many people aboard the Lanawaxa on this trip and the young folks going home from school had the forward upper deck to themselves. There was a stiff breeze blowing that drove the other passengers into the inclosed cabins.

But the girls and their escorts were in high spirits. As Madge Steele declared, "they had slipped the scholastic collar for ten long weeks."

"And if we can't find a plenty of fun in that time it's our own fault," observed Heavy—having some trouble with her articulation because of the candy in her mouth. "Thanks be to goodness! no rising bell—no curfew—no getting anywhere any particular time. Oh, I'm just going to lie