r Madge to draw a beautiful plan of it
on paper. Flowers do not grow except where they are planted.

So it was in order to turn gardeners that Eleanor and Miss Jones stayed
at home. Flowers enough to encircle the deck of a houseboat would cost
almost as much money as the four girls had in their treasury to keep
them supplied with food and coal. But the gently sloping Maryland
fields were abloom with daisies. A farmer's lad could be hired for a
dollar to dig up the daisies and to bring a wagon load of dirt to the
boat. The day before Eleanor had engaged the services of a carpenter
to make four boxes, which exactly fitted the sides of the little upper
deck of the houseboat above the cabin. An hour or so after the girls
departed on their rowing excursion the daisies were brought aboard,
planted, and held up their heads bravely. They were such sturdy, hardy
little flowers that they did not wither with homesickness at the change
in their environment.

But still Eleanor was not entirely satisfied. In Phil's dream and
Madge's picture of the boat vines had drooped gracefully over the sides
of the deck, and Eleanor had no vines to plant. Eleanor had a natural
gift for making things about her lovely and homelike. So she thought
and thought. Wild honeysuckle vines were growing in the fields with
the daisies. They were just the things to clamber over the white
railing of the deck and to hang gracefully over the sides. Their
perfume would fill the little floating dwelling with their fragrance.

By noon the transformation was complete. Eleanor persuaded Miss Jones
to go for a walk while she got the luncheon. Madge, Phil and Lillian
had solemnly promised to be at home by one o'clock. Another surprise
was in store for them. In the bow of their boat Eleanor had hung up a
flag. On a background of white broadcloth, stitched in bands of blue,
was the legend "Merry Maid." This was Eleanor Butler's chosen name for
the houseboat, and had been voted the best possible selection, while
Madge had been unanimously voted captain of their little ship. Eleanor
had sent to the town for the flag, and even their chaperon was not to
know of its arrival.

One would hardly have known Miss Jenny Ann Jones--a week in the fresh
air had done her so much good. Then, too, Phil and Lillian had
persuaded her to cease to wear her heavy, light hair in an English bun
at the back of her neck. Lillian had plaited it in two great braids
and had