And they have real dishes in them! cried Tess, flattening her nose against one of the glass doors.
Dont do that, dear, said Ruth in a low voice.
But I want to see, insisted Tess.
So do I! chimed in Dot, and soon the two little sisters, side by side, with noses pressed flat against the doors, were taking in the sights of the dishes. Mr. Howbridge silently motioned to Ruth to let them do as they pleased.
Oh, what a lovely dolls party we could have here! sighed Dot, as she turned away from the dish locker.
And couldnt Almira come? asked Tess, appealing to Agnes. And bring one of her kittens?
Yes, well even allow you two kittens, for fear one would get lonesome, laughed Mr. Howbridge. But come on. You havent seen it all yet.
There was a small kitchen back of the dining room, and both Ruth and Agnes were interested to see how conveniently everything was arranged.
It would be ever so much easier to get meals
here than in the Corner House, was Ruths opinion.
Do you think so? asked the lawyer.
Yes, everything is so handy. You hardly have to take a step to reach anything, added Agnes. You only have to turn from the stove to the sink, and another turn and you have everything you want, from a toasting fork to an egg beater, and she indicated the different kitchen utensils hanging in a rack over the stove.
Im glad you like it, said Mr. Howbridge, and Ruth found herself wondering why he said that.
They passed into the sleeping quarters where small bunks, almost like those in Pullman cars, were neatly arranged, even to a white counterpane and pillow shams on each one.
Oh, how lovely.
And how clean and neat!
Its just like a sleeping car on the railroad.
Yes, or one of those staterooms on some steamers.
A person could sleep as soundly here as in a bed at home, was Ruths comment.
Yes, unless the houseboat rocked like a ship, said Agnes.
I dont think it could rock much on the canal.
No, but it might on a river, or a lake. I guess a houseboat like this can go almost anywhere.
There were two sets of sleeping rooms, one on either side of a middle hall or passageway. Then came a small bathroom. And back of that was something that made Neale cry out in delight.
Why, the boat has an engine! exclaimed the boy. It runs by motor!
Yes, the Bluebird is a motor houseboat, said Mr. Howbridge, with a smile. It really belongs on Lake Macopic, but to get it there through the canal mules will have to be used, as this boat has such a big propeller that it would wash away the canal banks. It is not allowed to move it through the canal under its own power.
Thats a dandy engine all right! exclaimed Neale, and he knew something about them for one summer he had operated a small motor craft on the Gentory River, as well as running the Corner House girls automobile for them. I wish I could run this, he went on with a sigh, but I dont suppose theres any chance.
I dont know about that, said the lawyer, musingly. That is what I brought Minerva here to talk about. Lets go back to the main cabin and sit down.
Im going to sit on one of the lockers! cried Tess, darting off ahead of the others.
I want to sit on it, too! exclaimed Dot.
There are two lockers on the floor one for each, laughed Mr. Howbridge.
As the little party moved into the main cabin, Ruth found herself wondering more and more what Mr. Howbridge wanted her opinion on. She was not long, however, in learning.
Here is the situation, began the lawyer, when they were all seated facing him. His tone reminded Ruth of the time he had come to talk to them about their inheritance of the Corner House. This boat, the Bluebird , belongs to an estate. The estate is being settled up, and the boat is going to be sold. A man living at the upper end of Lake Macopic has offered to buy it at a fair price if it is delivered to him in good condition before the end of summer. As the legal adviser of the estate I have undertaken to get this boat to the purchaser. And what I brought you here for, to-day, Minerva, he said, smiling at Ruth, is to ask your opinion about the best way of getting the boat there.
Do you really mean that? asked the girl.
I certainly do.
Well, I should say the best plan would be to start it going, and steer it up the canal to the river, through the river into the lake and up the lake to the place where it is to be delivered, Ruth answered, smiling.
But Mr. Howbridge said the boat couldnt be moved by the motor on the canal, objected Agnes.
Well, have mules tow it, then, advised Ruth. That is very simple.
I am glad you think so, replied the lawyer. And the next matter on which I wish your advice is whether to start the boat off alone on her trip, or just in charge of, say, the mule driver.
Oh, I wouldnt want to trust a lovely houseboat like this to only a mule driver! exclaimed Ruth.
Thats what I thought, went on her guardian, with another smile. It needs some one on board to look after it, doesnt it?
Well, yes, I should say so.
Then how would you like to take charge? came the unexpected question.