'I shall lounge under the trees, read Macaulay, and order the meals.'
'I shall need an assistant about the camp,' said Aunt Truth,
smilingly; 'but I hardly think he'll have much time to lounge; when
everything else fails, there's always Dicky, you know.'
Geoffrey looked discouraged.
'And, furthermore, I declare by the nose of the great Tam o' Shanter
that I will cut down every tree in the vicinity ere you shall lounge
under it,' said Jack.
'Softly, my boy. Hill's blue-gum forest is not so very far away.
You'll have your hands full,' laughed Dr. Paul.
Here Margery and Bell joined the group after a quick walk up and down
the deck.
'Papa,' said Bell, excitedly, 'we certainly are nearing the place.
Do you see that bend in the shore, and don't you remember that the
landing isn't far below?'
'Bell's bump of locality is immense. There are nineteen bends in the
shore exactly like that one before we reach the landing. How many
knots an hour do you suppose this ship travels, my fair cousin?'
asked Geoffrey.
'I could tell better,' replied Bell calmly, 'if I could ever remember
how many knots made a mile, or how many miles made a knot; but I
always forget.'
'Oh, see! There's a porpoise!' cried Jack. 'Polly, why is a
porpoise like a water-lily?'
But before he could say 'Guess,' Phil, Geoff, and the girls had drawn
themselves into a line, and, with a whispered 'One, two, three,' to
secure a good start, replied in concert, 'We-give-it-up!'
'What a deafening shout!' cried Aunt Truth, coming out of the cabin.
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