to New
York and look at the vessel.

It would not take long, because, of course, Mr. Burke had already found
out everything that was necessary in regard to its sea-going qualities,
and a great many other things of which she would not be a judge. In
fact, it was not necessary for her to go at all; but as she was to pay
for it, Mr. Burke would be better satisfied if first she saw it.

It was very pleasant to think that she could go away whenever she
pleased and leave her house in the care of two such ladies as Miss
Eleanor Thorpedyke and her sister.

CHAPTER XIX

THE "SUMMER SHELTER"

When Mrs. Cliff and Willy, as well wrapped up in handsome furs as Mr.
Burke himself, who accompanied them, left their New York hotel to drive
over to Brooklyn and examine the yacht which had been selected, Willy's
mind vainly endeavored to form within itself an image of the object of
the expedition.

She was so thoroughly an inland woman and had so little knowledge of
matters connected with the sea, that when she first heard the mention of
the yacht it had brought into her mind the idea of an Asiatic animal,
with long hair and used as a beast of burden, which she had read about
in her school-books. But when she had discovered that the object in
question was a vessel and not a bovine ruminant, her mind carried her no
farther than to a pleasure boat with a sail to it.

Even Mrs. Cliff, who had travelled, had inadequate ideas concerning a
steam yacht. She had seen the small steamers which ran upon the Seine,
and she had taken little trips upon them; and if she had given the
subject careful consideration she might have thought that the yacht
intended for the use of a private individual would be somewhat smaller
than one of these.

It would be difficult, therefore, to imagine the surprise and even
amazement of Mrs. Cliff and Willy Croup when they beheld the vessel to
which Mr. Burke conducted them. It was in fact a sea-going steamer of
small comparative size, it is true, but of towering proportions when
compared with the ideals in the minds of the two female citizens of
Plainton who had come, the one to view it and the other to buy it.

"Before we go on board," said Mr. Burke, as he proudly stood upon the
pier, holding fast to his silk hat in the cold breeze which swept along
the water front, "I want you to take a general look at her! I don't
suppose you know anything about her lines and build, but I can tell you
they're all r