urke was very happy, and Mrs.
Cliff was very proud, although the external manifestation of this
feeling was gradually wearing off.

"I don't want to give advice, madam," said Burke one evening, as the
little party sat together discussing nautical matters, "but if I was in
your place, I wouldn't go back to Plainton before I had taken a little
trial trip on the yacht. It doesn't matter a bit about the weather!
After we get out to sea it will be only a few days before we find we're
in real spring weather and the warm water of the Gulf Stream. We can
touch at Savannah, and cruise along the Florida coast, and then go over
to the Bahamas, and look around as long as we feel like! And when we get
back here it will be beginning to be milder, and then you can go home
and arrange for the voyages you're goin' to make in her during the
summer!"

Mrs. Cliff considered. This was a tempting proposition. And while she
considered, Willy sat and looked at her with glowing cheeks and
half-open mouth. It would not have required one second for her to decide
such a question.

"You know," said Mr. Burke, "it wouldn't take me long to get her ready
for sea. I could soon coal her and put her stores aboard, and as to a
crew, I can get one in no time. We could leave port in a week just as
well as not!"

"Let's go!" said Willy, seizing the hand of her friend. "It need only be
a little trip, just to see how it would all feel."

Mrs. Cliff smiled. "Very good," said she, "we'll take a little trial
trip just as soon as you are ready, Captain Burke! That is, if you have
not made any plans which will prevent you from accepting the position."

"Madam," said Burke, springing to his feet and standing proudly before
Mrs. Cliff, "I'd throw up the command of the finest liner on the
Atlantic to be captain of the _Summer Shelter_ for this summer! I see
far more fun ahead in the cruises that you're going to make than in any
voyage I've looked forward to yet; and when people have a chance to mix
fun and charity as we're goin' to mix them, I say such people ought to
call themselves lucky! This is Wednesday! Well now, madam, by next
Wednesday the _Summer Shelter_ will be all fitted out for the cruise,
and she'll be ready to sail out of the harbor at whatever hour you
name, for the tide won't make any difference to her!"

"There is only one thing I don't like about the arrangement," said Mrs.
Cliff, when the Captain had left them, "and that is, that we will ha