tter than I do. I think we had better say that we
have come back to inquire of Captain Mike how long he expects Mollie to
be away. Then we can insist on waiting until his sailboat returns."

The two girls strode bravely up the single, rickety board that served
as the gangplank of the shanty boat. At their first step on the dock a
yellow dog rushed to the door of the dirty kitchen and set up a furious
barking. Behind him stood the menacing figure of the woman whom Madge
and Phil had seen a short time before. About her torn skirts were
clustered three or four stupid-looking, tow-headed children. It was
impossible for Phil to conceive how beautiful Mollie could be a member
of such a family. Yet the unfortunate girl had told Phyllis that she
had known no other than the hard, joyless life she had always led.

It was Madge who opened the conversation this time. To her
disappointment she received no different answer to her inquiries than
had Phil. "Moll was gone." The woman did not know where she had gone
and she didn't care. But she wasn't coming back. Further, Mollie's
step-mother did not see what business Phil and Madge had in coming to
ask about her.

"We are going to wait to talk to your husband," announced Phil with
quiet decision.

"You git off my boat in a hurry," the woman snarled angrily. "You can
stay on the island all day if you like, but you can't hang around here.
Mike won't be home before night, and he ain't goin' to tell you nothin'
then. You'll find the beach pretty comfortable; it's so nice and
shady." The woman grinned maliciously.

The two girls sat down on the stretch of hot sand near the water. They
were doggedly determined to wait as long as possible for Mike Muldoon's
return. Mollie's pathetic appeal had touched Madge as deeply as it had
Phil, and they were both resolved to help the child if they could.

The hours dragged by on leaden wings. Madge's head ached violently.
Phil was beginning to think longingly of the basket of food which she
had left in the tent and wondering if it would do for her to go after
it while Madge stayed on guard. As she sat deliberating as to what
course of action would be the wisest, a sudden commotion arose among
the children playing on the deck of the shanty boat. The dog began to
bark furiously. "Mammy, here comes Pap," the oldest child cried.

The tired girls could see that a sailboat was being anchored near the
shore. A few moments later Mike