I I er gug I was That was all Tess could say for a while.
You poor child! exclaimed Ruth, reaching for a towel, to dry the dripping face. Did you fall in? And what possessed you to put on your bathing suit?
And what have you got around your waist? cried Agnes.
That that thats my my life preserver ! exploded Tess. If if youll take the towel out of my moo-oo-oo-uth Ill t-t-tell you! she stammered.
Yes, do lets let her tell, for mercys sake! exclaimed Ruth. Did your head go under, Tessie, dear?
Tess nodded. It was easier than speaking, especially as she had not yet quite got her breath back.
The two older sisters dried her partly on the towel, the little girl raising her hands to keep her sisters from stuffing any more of the Turkish towel into her mouth, and then Dot came up the stairs.
Is she is she drowned? was the awed whisper.
No, but she might have been, answered Ruth.
What were you two doing? This is worse than the clothes basket elevator. What were you doing?
I was making a life preserver, volunteered Tess, when she had been helped out of the bathtub and was standing on a big mat that absorbed the little rivulets of water streaming from her.
A life preserver? questioned Agnes.
Yes, Tess nodded. I thought maybe I might fall off the houseboat and I didnt see any life preservers on it, so I made one.
Out of the hot water bag, put in Dot. She tied it around her waist and she wanted me to tie one on me and make believe we fell into the bathtub. But I wouldnt, and she got in, and it didnt hold her up.
I should say it didnt! cried Agnes. How could you expect a rubber bag full of water to hold you up? It couldnt hold itself up.
It wasnt full of water. I blew it up full of air just as Sammy Pinkney blows up his football, said Tess. And that floats in water, cause I saw it.
A hot water bag is different, returned Ruth. Yes, she has one on, she added, as she and Agnes unwrapped from their sister some folds of cloth by which the partly inflated hot-water bag had been fastened around Tesss waist.
Dont you ever do anything like that again! scolded Dot, as Tess was sent to her room to dress while Linda came up to mop the floor.
Well, what am I to do if I fall overboard off the Bluebird , Im asking you? called Tess, turning back, and holding her bath robe around her slim form. There arent any life preservers on it!
We will provide some if they are needed, said Ruth, laughing.
Just then Aunt Sarah Maltby came in and heard the story from Agnes.
Just think, Dot and Tess, one of you might have been drowned, she said severely. If that bag had got around your feet, and the winding strips had tangled, your feet might have been held up and your head down. You might easily have been drowned in the bathtub.
Not me I wouldnt! declared Dot.
Why not? Agnes wanted to know.
Cause I wouldnt get in it! I told Tess maybe it was dangerous.
Well, it wouldnt have been if Id had more air in the bag, called Tess from the half-open
door of her room. That was the matter.
Mrs. MacCall shook her head when she heard what had happened.
I ha me doots about them on the boat, she said. If they cut up such didoes here, whatll they do then?
Oh, I think we shall manage somehow, said Ruth with cheerful philosophy. Were used to mishaps.
By dint of hard work the final preparations for the houseboat trip were made. The Bluebird was got in shape for the first part of the trip through the canal. Hank Dayton had been slicked up, and had his two sturdy mules in readiness. Neale had tested the motor again. A supply of food had been put on board, together with gasoline to use as soon as the transition from the canal to the river should have taken place.
Mr. Howbridge had arranged his plans so as to start with the girls, and Mrs. MacCall had her small trunk packed and in readiness. All that was possible had been done to get into communication with Neales father, and all that could be done was to await word from him, or from Mr. Sorber, who might be the first to hear, that the missing Klondike explorer had returned.
And at last the morning of the start arrived.
Oh, its going to rain! cried Tess as she arose early and ran to the window to look out.
I dont care. We can take umbrellas, and the boat has a roof on it, said Dot. My Alice-doll has been wet before.
But Almira doesnt like rain, and her kittens might get cold, objected Tess.
We cant take Almira! said Ruth in a voice that Tess knew it was useless to appeal from. The poor cat wouldnt have a good time, Tessie, and shed be in the way with her kittens.
She could catch mice, suggested Tess, as a sort of last hope.
There are mice on canal boats. I heard Hank Dayton say so, put in Dot, seeking to strengthen Tesss position.
Well get a cat later if we need it, compromised Ruth. Dont think of bringing Almira.
All right! assented Dot, and then Tess called:
Theres Sammy, and hes got Billy Bumps. Lets go down and tell them good-by!
Cant Sammy come with us? asked Dot, turning to Ruth.