The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat Part 40

"Thank you, I will," he answered, after the others had added their urgings to Ruth's invitation.

And so, after the somewhat exciting adventures the trip was resumed, and eventually the craft was delivered to her owner.

Before this, however, happy days were spent cruising about Lake Macopic, the children and Mrs. MacCall enjoying life to the utmost. There were days of fishing and days of bathing and splashing in the limpid waters near sandy beaches. Tess and Dot were taught to swim by Neale, and his father made the children laugh by imitating seals he had seen in Alaska.

Hank, too, seemed to enjoy the vacation days, and he proved a valuable helper, forming a great friendship with Mr. O'Neil. During those days Ruth received two more letters from Luke and one from his sister. Luke was still working hard at the summer hotel, and Cecile reported that the sick aunt was now much better. Luke congratulated Neale on finding his father. And then, as was usual, he added a page or two intended only for Ruth's eyes,--words that made her eyes shine with rare happiness.

"Oh, we had a lovely time!" said Agnes when they disembarked for the last time. "The nicest summer vacation we ever spent."

"Indeed it was," agreed Ruth.

"And when I get home I'm going to send Mr. Henry my doll and a kitten so he won't be lonesome on that island in winter," observed Dot.

"And I'm going to send Mr. Tom something," declared Tess. "He likes me, and maybe when I grow up I'll marry him!"

"Oh, what a child!" laughed Ruth.

"I'm glad you liked the trip," said the lawyer. "And I think we can agree that it accomplished something," he added as he looked at Neale and his father.

"It made my Alice-doll a lot better!" piped up Dot, and they all laughed.

And so, in this jolly mood, we will take leave of the Corner House Girls.

THE END