remain until Spring, anyhow, for the business will take until then to
get going properly. Then, too, he is anxious about Aunty's health. The
doctor says the longer she stays in a mild climate the better she will
be."

"She doesn't look very well," spoke Betty in a low voice. Mrs.
Stonington had greeted the girls as they came to call on Amy, and had
then gone to lie down. The callers had all noticed how frail and worn
she seemed. Perhaps the shock of almost losing Amy had something to do
with it. But there also appeared to be the seeds of some deep-seated
malady present in her system. And a look at Mr. Stonington's face told
that he, too, was worrying. But the trip to Florida might work wonders.
They all hoped so, at any rate.

"If we're going to take Bet's boat we ought to wear our sailor suits
part of the time," suggested Mollie. "Are you going to take the _Gem_?"

"What about that, Amy?" questioned Betty. "Did you inquire whether there
are navigable waters near the orange grove?"

"There are. The grove is near the town of Bentonville, on the Mayfair
River, which empties into Lake Chad, so I think there will be plenty of
chance to go boating. The grove is in the Indian River section, where
some of the finest oranges grow."

"Then the _Gem_ goes along," decided Betty. "I'm going to stop at the
freight office on my way home, and see about having it crated and
shipped."

Discussing what they would take in the way of dresses, and other
feminine accessories, talking over prospective trips in the motor boat,
speculating as to whether Will or any of his boy chums would go to
Florida for a brief visit, made the winter afternoon pass quickly.

"It would be nice if Will and some of the other boys could come down,"
said Mollie, reflectively.

"By 'some of the others' meaning Allen Washburn, I suppose," said
Mollie, slyly, for Betty's liking for the young lawyer was no secret,
nor was his for her.

"Speak for yourself, please," said the "Little Captain," a flush
mounting to her already rosy cheeks. "Though of course if Will is coming
home he won't want to go back again," she concluded.

"Hardly, I fancy," agreed Grace. "That's the last chocolate. I must get
some more for to-night. Who's going downtown?"

They all were, it developed, and on the way Betty stopped at the
railroad freight office and arranged to have a man sent to the boathouse
to crate the _Gem_. Then it could be taken to the railroad on a truck.

"And