geraniums and nasturtiums, as they would bloom until
late in the autumn. Fresh draperies hung at the little cabin windows.
Wrought-iron lamps, holding beautiful yellow-tinted glass globes, were
attached to the outside cabin walls, so the entire deck of the
houseboat could be lighted at night. Indeed, "The Merry Maid" presented
a far more elaborate appearance than she had worn during the first of
the houseboat vacations.

It was small wonder that the four girls sighed from pure content. Mrs.
Curtis had not spent a great deal of money in re-decorating the little
boat, she did not wish her guests to feel under any obligation to her,
but she had made their holiday craft as attractive as possible, and had
stored their small larder with all the good things she could find to
eat.

"Miss Jenny Ann!" exclaimed Madge impulsively for the second time in
five minutes, "do you think it is wrong to dislike people very, very
much?"

The little captain's expression had entirely changed. She was frowning
as though recalling something unpleasant.

"I suppose it is," answered Miss Jones gravely. She knew that Madge's
likes and dislikes were not unimportant--they were so intense that they
were likely to change not only the course of the girl's whole life but
to influence the circumstances of the people about her.

"I am sorry," answered Madge, "because I have taken a dreadful dislike
to that Flora Harris whom we met at the ball the other night. I wish
that Tom had not asked us to invite her to the houseboat this
afternoon. I did not like to refuse him, but I wish that I never had to
see her again."

Madge returned to her sweeping with redoubled ardor. She acted as
though she were trying to sweep the objectionable Miss Harris off of
the houseboat.

"Don't take a rude speech so to heart, my dear," remonstrated Miss
Jenny Ann. "Really, Miss Harris isn't worth it. It's dreadful to have a
long list of grudges; it only hurts one to remember them."

Madge listened politely, though she didn't appear convinced by their
chaperon's remarks. Wilful Madge was never convinced except by
experience.

"I don't hate the Harris girl just because she made one rude speech,
Miss Jenny Ann," she returned; "I hate her because she is hateful! She
was impolite to us, and a sneak not to tell Tom Curtis what she had
said about us. Then she is very haughty and proud because her father is
a prominent officer at Fortress Monroe. She treated us as though we
w