Me? cried Ruth. Me?
You, and all of you! went on the lawyer. Listen. Here is the situation. I have to send this houseboat to Lake Macopic. You dwellers of the Corner House need a vacation. You always have one every summer, and I generally advise you where to go. At least you always ask me, and sometimes you take my advice.
This time I advise you to take a houseboat trip. And I make this offer. I will provide the boat and all the
needful food and supplies, such as gasoline and oil when you reach the river and lake. Everything else is on board, from beds to dishes. I will also hire a mule driver and engage some mules for the canal trip. Now, how does that suit you?
Oh! Oh! exclaimed Agnes, and it seemed to be all she could say for a moment. She just looked at Mr. Howbridge with parted lips and sparkling eyes.
How wonderful! murmured Ruth.
Can we go? cried Tess.
The whole family, including Neale, said Mr. Howbridge.
Oo-ee! gasped Dot, wide-eyed.
Agnes and Neale stared entranced at each other, Agnes, for once, speechless.
Well, now I have made the offer, think it over, and while you are doing that Ill give a little attention to Neales case, went on Mr. Howbridge. Now, young man, suppose we go and find this mule driver who seems to know something of your father.
Oh, wait! Dont go away just yet! begged Ruth. Lets talk about the trip some more! Do you really think we can go?
I want you to go. It would be doing me a favor, said the lawyer. I must get this boat to Lake Macopic somehow, and I dont know a better way than to have Martha and her family take it, and he bowed formally to his ward.
And did you really mean I may go, too? asked Neale.
If you can arrange it, and Miss Ruth agrees.
Of course I will! But, oh, there will be such a lot to do to get ready. Wed have to take Mrs. MacCall along, too, she added.
Of course, assented Mr. Howbridge. By all means!
And would you go too? asked Ruth.
Would you like me to? the lawyer countered.
Of course. Wed all like it.
I might manage to make at least part of the trip, was the reply. Then you have decided to take my offer?
Oh, I think its perfectly wonderful ! burst out Agnes.
As for Tess and Dot, it could be told what they thought by just looking at them.
Very well then, said the guardian, well consider it settled. Ill have to see about mules and a driver for the canal part of the trip and
An exclamation from Neale interrupted him.
What is it? asked the lawyer.
Why couldnt we hire Hank Dayton for a mule driver? Neale asked. Hes rough, but I think hes a decent man and honest, and he knows a lot about the canal and boats and mules.
It might not be a bad idea, assented Mr. Howbridge. Well find him and ask him, Neale. And it would be killing two birds with one stone. He could help you in your search for your father. Yes, I think that will be a good plan. Girls, Ill leave you here to look over the Bluebird at your leisure while Neale and I go to interview the mule driver.
And I hope he will be able to tell you how to find your father, Neale, said Agnes, in a low voice.
I hope so, too, added the boy. You dont know, Aggie, how much Ive wanted to find father.
Of course I do, Neale. And youll find him, too!
Neale went on with Mr. Howbridge, somewhat cheered by Agnes sympathy.
CHAPTER VII MAKING PLANS
BluebirdNeale will just love fussing around that motor, said Agnes.
You speak as if we had already decided to make the trip, remarked Ruth, with a bright glance at her sister.
Why, yes, havent you? Agnes countered. I thought you and Mr. Howbridge had fixed it up between you when you were chatting up on the front seat of the auto.
He never said a word to me about it, declared Ruth.
He must have said something, insisted her sister.
Oh, of course we talked, but not about this , and Ruth swept her hands about to indicate the Bluebird . I was as much surprised as you to have him ask us if we would take her up to the lake.
Well, it will be delightful, dont you think?
Yes, I think it will. But of course it depends on Mrs. MacCall.
I dont see why! exclaimed Agnes quickly and reproachfully.
Of course you do. Shell have to go along to act as chaperone and all that. We may have to tie up at night in lonely places along the canal or river and
Well have Neale and Mr. Howbridge! And how about asking Luke Shepard and his sister Cecile? went on Agnes.
Ruth flushed a little.
I dont believe Cecile and Luke can go, she replied slowly. Cecile has got to go home to take care of her Aunt Lorena, who is sick, and Luke wrote me that he had a position offered to him as a clerk in a summer hotel down on the coast, and it is to pay so well that he would not dream of letting
the opportunity pass.
Oh, thats too bad, Ruth. You wont see much of him.
I am not sure Ill see anything of him. And Ruths face clouded a little.
Well, anyway, as I said before, well have Neale and Mr. Howbridge, continued Agnes.
Neale. But Mr. Howbridge is not sure he can go at least all the way. However, well ask Mrs. MacCall.