on't discuss my temper," answered Madge crossly. "If
there is one thing I hate worse than another, it is to hear people talk
about my faults. Of course, I know I have a perfectly detestable
temper, but I hardly said a word to Miss Jenny Ann. Please tell me
what fun we could have on our holiday if we never dared to go ten feet
away from the houseboat?"

"None whatever," answered Lillian, "only you needn't be so cross with
Phil and me. We were not discussing your faults. You are altogether
too ready to become angry over a trifle." There was indignation and
reproof in Lillian's tone.

Madge plied her oars in silence. She knew that she had behaved badly.
"Isn't it exactly like me?" she thought to herself. "If I am sweet and
agreeable one minute, and feel pleased with myself, I can surely count
on doing something disagreeable the next. Now I have made Lillian and
Phil cross with me and probably have hurt Miss Jenny Ann's feelings and
spoiled this beautiful day for us all."

Eleanor's soft voice broke in upon her self-arraignment. "Don't
squabble, girls. The day is altogether too perfect. None of you are
really cross. Now, are you?"

Three pairs of eyes met hers, then the little dispute ended in a
general laugh.

Madge and Phil rowed faster than ever after this little falling out.
They could see the shores of Fisherman's Island not far ahead, with
several dories and small fishing craft anchored along the banks. They
were heading toward an open beach, where there was no sign of life.

"Girls, look out!" warned Lillian. She was sitting in the bow of their
skiff, and could see another rowboat moving toward them, the two pairs
of oars rising and falling in perfect accord. The boat was so close to
them that Lillian was afraid Phil and Madge might cross oars with it.
But as the other boat glided smoothly up alongside of their skiff, the
oars were drawn swiftly inboard, almost before the girls knew what had
happened.

"I suppose you don't speak to people on the water whom you might be
persuaded to notice on land," called Tom Curtis reproachfully.

"O Mr. Curtis! how do you do?" laughed Madge. "You see, we are not
possessed with eyes in the backs of our heads, or we should have
recognized you. Goodness gracious! If there isn't my cousin, Jack
Bolling! I never dreamed you knew him. Why didn't you tell me? Jack,
where did you come from?"

Tom looked at Jack, and Jack looked at Tom. "Age before beauty,