am heartily sorry for her.
Do come with us, there's a dear. Don't pretend you are tired, or make
Miss Jones think you are sick. You are just as well now as any of the
rest of us. If you don't come, it is just because you want to stay
here to read that silly novel. Real people are much more interesting
than stories."

Madge yawned and stretched herself lazily in the steamer chair. "Phil,
it is awfully hot on the water. Couldn't we go to see your girl some
other time? If she has waited this long, she may as well wait a little
longer. You see, I promised Mrs. Curtis I wouldn't go out in the sun."

"Madge Morton, you are putting on airs. Going out in the sun, indeed!"
Phil sniffed disdainfully. "When did the sun ever hurt you? You just
love to have people spoil you. You know there is nothing in the world
the matter with you now. But please don't come, if you do not wish to.
Nellie and Lillian and I are going now."

Phyllis walked quietly away, with her head in the air. Madge was
really too provoking.

Madge closed her book with a bang and rushed after her friend. "Of
course I wish to go with you, Phil. I am interested in your pretty
girl. I had reached the most exciting part of my story when you asked
me, and---- Now, you will hurt my feelings dreadfully if you don't let
me go along with you! Just think, Phyllis Alden. You said I was
spoiled, and that I liked to pretend I was sick, and I didn't get one
bit angry. Don't you truly think my temper is improving?"

Phyllis laughed. "Oh, come on, if you like. Do you think Miss Jenny
Ann would mind my taking the poor girl a basket of nice things? I mean
things that any girl would like. My friend isn't in the least like a
beggar."

"Of course, Miss Jones will let you do anything you like, Phil,"
replied Madge. "I am the only person she does not approve of." Madge
felt angry because her chaperon had intimated that Madge was hurting
Eleanor's feelings by talking so much of her Mrs. Curtis and the
beautiful time she had spent with her. And Madge, though she needed
criticism even more than most other girls, was just as little pleased
at receiving it.

The girls rowed over to the island in a short time. It was a lovely
day, and not too warm on the water.

"I wonder, Phil, if there is a chance of our coming across the thief
who attacked you on the houseboat? He may he in hiding on this
island," said Madge as the four girls pulled their skiff up on