Nor me, either! added Dot, smoothing out the rumpled dress of her Alice-doll.
Well, you asked me to make some fun and I did, Sammy defended himself.
Yes, and you made a lot of excitement, too, added Ruth. You had better come into the house now, children, she went on. And, Sammy, please take Billy away.
Yesm, he murmured. But they asked me to elevator em up, an I did!
To which I shall bear witness, said Mr. Howbridge, laughing.
Mrs. MacCall shooed Tess and Dot into the house, murmuring her thanks to providence over the escape, and, after a while, the excitement died away and Ruth went on with her meeting.
The Civic Betterment League was formed that afternoon and eventually, perhaps, did some good. But what this story is to concern itself with is the adventure on a houseboat of the Corner House girls. Meanwhile about a week went by. There had been no more elevator episodes, though this does not mean that Sammy did not make mischief, nor that Tess and Dot kept out of it. Far from that.
One bright afternoon, when school was out and the pre-supper appetites of Dot and Tess had been appeased, the two came running into the room where Ruth and Agnes sat.
Hes here! Hes come! gasped Tess.
And hes got, oh, such a dandy! echoed Dot.
Whos here, and what has he? asked Agnes, flying out of her chair.
You shouldnt say anything is a dandy, corrected Ruth to her youngest sister.
Well it is, and you told me always to tell the truth, was the retort.
Its Mr. Howbridge and hes out in front with a the er the beautifulest automobile! cried Tess. Its all shiny an its got wheels, an an everything! Its newer than our car.
Ruth was sufficiently interested in this news to look from the window.
It is Mr. Howbridge, she murmured, as though there had been doubts on that point.
And he must have a new auto, added Agnes. Oh, he has! she cried.
A moment later they were welcoming their guardian at the door, while the smaller children formed an eager and anxious background.
What has happened? asked Agnes, while Ruth, remembering her position as head of the family, asked:
Wont you come in?
Id much rather you would come out, Miss Ruth, the man responded. It is just the sort of day to be out not in.
Especially in such a car as that! exclaimed Agnes. Its a
Be careful, murmured Ruth, with an admonishing glance from Agnes to the smaller girls. Little pitchers, you know
Its a wonderful car! went on Agnes. Is it yours?
Well, I sometimes doubt a little, when I recall what it cost me, her guardian answered with a laugh. But I am supposed to be the owner, and I have come to take you for a ride.
Oh, cant we go? came in a chorus from Tess and Dot.
Yes, all of you! laughed Mr. Howbridge. Thats why I waited until school was out. They may come, may they not, Miss Ruth? he asked. Always he was thus deferential to her when a question of family policy came up.
Yes, I think so, was the low-voiced answer. But we planned to have an early tea and
Oh, I promise to get you back home in plenty of time, the lawyer said, with a laugh. And after that, if you like, we might take another ride.
How wonderful! murmured Agnes.
Wont you stay to tea? asked Ruth.
I was waiting for that! exclaimed Mr. Howbridge. I shall be delighted. Now then, youngsters, run out and hop in, but dont touch anything, or you may be in a worse predicament than when you were in the clothes basket elevator.
We wont! cried Tess and Dot, running down the walk.
You must come back and be washed! cried Ruth. It was a standing order that, and the two little girls knew better than to disobey.
But first they inspected the new car, walking all around it, and breathing in, with the odor of gasoline, the awed remarks of some neighboring children.
Thats part our car, Dot told these envious ones, as she and Tess started back toward the house. Were going for a ride in it, and dont you dare touch anything on it or Mr. Howbridgell be awful mad!
Um, oh, whut a lubly auto, murmured Alfredia Blossom, who had come on an errand to her grandfather, Uncle Rufus. Dats jest de beatenistest one I eber see!
Yes, it is nice, conceded Tess, proudly, airily and condescendingly.
A little later the two younger children and Agnes sat in the rear seat, while Ruth was beside Mr. Howbridge at the steering wheel. Then the big car purred off down the street, like a contented cat after a saucer of warm milk.
It was very good of you to come and get us, said Ruth, when they were bowling along. Almost the christening trip of the car, too, isnt it? she asked.
The very first trip I have made in it, was the answer. I wanted it properly christened, you see. There is a method in my madness, too. I have an object in view, Martha.
Sometimes he called Ruth this, fancifully, with the thought in mind that she was cumbered with many cares.
Again he would apply to her the nickname of Minerva, with its suggestion of wisdom. And Ruth rather liked these fanciful appellations.
You have an object? she repeated.
Yes, he answered. As usual, I want your advice.
As if it was really worth anything to you! she countered.
It will be in this case, I fancy, he went on with a smile. I want your opinion about a canal boat.
CHAPTER V THE HOUSEBOAT
Ruth stole a quick glance at the face of her guardian. There was a silence between them for a moment, broken only by the purr of the powerful machine and the suction of the rubber tires on the street. Agnes, Dot and Tess were having a gay time behind the two figures on the front seat.
A canal boat? murmured Ruth, as if she had not heard aright.
Perhaps I had better qualify that statement, went on Mr. Howbridge in his courtroom voice, by saying that it is, at present, Minerva, on the canal. And a boat on the canal is a canal boat, is it not? I ask for a ruling, and he laughed as he slowed down to round a corner.
I dont know anything about your legal phraseology, answered Ruth, entering into the bantering spirit of the occasion, but I dont see why a boat on the canal becomes a canal boat any more than a cottage pudding becomes a house. The pudding has no cottage in it any more than a club sandwich has a club in it and
I am completely at your mercy, Mr. Howbridge broke in with. But, speaking seriously, this boat is on the canal, though strictly it is not a canal boat. You know what they are, I dare say?
I used to have to take Tess and Dot down to the towpath to let them watch them often enough when we first came here, said Ruth, with a laugh. They used to think canal boats were the most wonderful objects in the world.
Are we going on a canal boat? asked Tess, overhearing some of the talk on the front seat. Oh, are we?
Oh, I hope we are! added Dot. My Alice-doll just loves canal boats. And wouldnt it be splendiferous, Tess, if we could have a little one all to ourselves and Scalawag or maybe Billy Bumps to pull it instead of a mule?
That would be a sight on the towpath! cried Agnes. But what is this about canal boats, Mr. Howbridge?
Has some one opened a soda water store on board one? asked Dot suddenly.
Has some one opened a soda water store on board one? asked Dot suddenly.
Not exactly. Youll see, presently. But I do want your opinion, he went on, speaking directly to Ruth now, and it has to do with a boat on a canal.
I still think you are joking, she told him. And except for the fact that we have a canal here in Milton I should think you were trying to fool me.
Impossible, Minerva, he replied, soberly enough.
As Ruth had said, Milton was located on both the canal and a river, the two streams, if a canal can be called a stream, joining at a certain point, so that boats could go from one to the other. Gentory River, which acted as a feeder to one section of the canal, also connected with Lake Macopic, a large body of water. The lake contained many islands.
The automobile skirted the canal by a street running parallel to it, and then Mr. Howbridge turned down a rather narrow street, on which were situated several stores that sold supplies to the canal boats, and brought his machine to a stop on the bank of the waterway beside the towpath, as it is called from the fact that the mules or horses towing the boats walk along that level stretch of highway bordering the canal and forming part of the canal property.
At this part of the canal, the stream widened and formed a sort of harbor for boats of various kinds. It was also a refitting station; a place where a captain might secure new mules, hire helpers, buy grain for his animals and also victuals for himself and family; for the owners of the canal boats often lived aboard them. This place, known locally as Hendersons Cove, was headquarters for all the canal boatmen of the vicinity.
Here is where we disembark, to use a nautical term, said Mr. Howbridge, with a smile at the younger children.
Is this where we take the boat? asked Dot eagerly.
You might call it that, said Mr. Howbridge, with another genial smile. And now, Martha, to show that I was in earnest, there is the craft in question, and he pointed to an old hulk of a canal boat, which had seen its best days.
That! You want my opinion on that? cried the girl, turning to her guardian in some surprise.
Oh, no, the one next to it. The Bluebird.
Ruth changed her view, and saw a craft which brought to her lips exclamations of delight, no less than to the lips of her sisters. For it was not a rusty canaler they beheld, but a trim craft, a typical houseboat, with a deck covered with a green striped awning and set with willow chairs, and a cabin, the windows of which, through their draped curtains, gave hint of delights within.
Oh, how lovely! murmured Agnes.
A dream! whispered Ruth. But why do you bring us here to show us this? she asked with much interest.
Because, began Mr. Howbridge, I want to know if you would like
Just then an excited voice behind the little party burst out with:
Oh, Mr. Howbridge, Ive been looking everywhere for you! Neale ONeil came hurrying along the towpath, seemingly much excited.
I hope that Supreme Court decision hasnt gone against me, Ruth heard her guardian murmur. If that case is lost
And then Neale began to talk excitedly.
CHAPTER VI MORE NEWS
They told me at your office you had come here, Mr. Howbridge, said Neale. And I hurried on as fast as I could.
Did they send you here to find me? asked the lawyer.
Yes, sir.
With any message? As Mr. Howbridge asked this Ruth noticed that her guardian seemed very anxious about something.
Yes, I have a message, went on Neale. Its about
The Jackson case? interrupted the lawyer. Is there a decision from the court and
Oh, no, this isnt anything about the Jackson case or any other, Neale hastened to say. Its about my father. And
Ruth and Agnes could not help gasping in surprise. As for the two smaller Kenway children all they had eyes for was the houseboat.
Oh, your father! repeated Mr. Howbridge. Have you found him, Neale? There was very evident relief in the lawyers tone.
No, sir, I havent found him. But you know you told me to come to you as soon as I had found that tramp mule driver again, and hes back in town once more. He just arrived at the lower lock with a grain boat, and I hurried to tell you.
Yes, that was right, Neale, said Mr. Howbridge. Excuse me, Miss Ruth, he went on, turning to the girl, but I happen to be this young mans legal adviser, and while I planned this for a pleasure trip, it seems that business can not be kept out of it.
Oh, we dont mind! exclaimed Ruth, with a smile at Neale. Of course we know about this, and wed be so glad if you could help find Mr. ONeil.
All right then, if the young ladies have no objection, said the lawyer, well combine business with pleasure. Suppose we go aboard the Bluebird. I want Miss Ruths opinion of her and
I dont see why in the world you want my opinion about this boat, said the puzzled girl. Im almost sure theres a joke in it, somewhere.
No, Martha, no joke at all, I do assure you, answered her guardian. Youll understand presently. Now, Neale, you say this mule driver has come back?
Yes, sir. You know I went to you as soon as he gave me a hint that my father might have returned from Alaska, and you said to keep my eyes open for this man.
I did, Neale, yes. You of course know this story, dont you, Miss Ruth? he asked.
Yes, I believe we were the first Neale told about it.
Well, went on Mr. Howbridge, while Tess and Dot showed signs of impatience to get on board the boat, I told Neale we must find out more from this Hank Dayton, the mule driver, before we could do anything, or start to advertise for Mr. ONeil. And now, it seems, he is here again. At first, Neale, when I saw you hurrying along, excited, I was afraid I had lost a very important law case. I am glad you did not bring bad news.
Ruth stole a glance at her guardians face. He was more than usually quiet and anxious, she thought, though he tried to be gay and jolly.
Well have a look at this boat, said Mr. Howbridge, as they advanced toward it. Ill get Minervas opinion, and then well try to find Hank Dayton.
I know where to find him, said Neale. Hes going to bunk down at the lower lock for a while. I made him promise to stay there until he could have a talk with you.
Very good, announced the lawyer. Now come on, youngsters! he cried with a gayer manner, and he caught Dot up in his arms and carried her aboard the boat, Neale, Ruth and the others following.
It was a typical houseboat. That is, it was a sort of small house built on what would otherwise have been a scow. The body of the boat was broad beamed forward and aft, as a sailor would say. That is, it was very wide, whereas most boats are pointed at the bow, and only a little less narrow at the stern.
Its like a small-sized canal boat, isnt it? remarked Agnes, as they went down into the cabin.
But ever so much nicer, said Ruth.
Oh, look at the cute little cupboards! cried Dot. I could keep my dolls there.
And heres a sweet place for the cats! added Tess, raising the cover of a sort of box in a corner. It would be a crib.
Thats a locker, explained Mr. Howbridge, with a smile.