owers in the midst of winter?

The motor boat had been crated and shipped. Mr. Stonington had arranged
his business for a long stay in the South, and all was in readiness for
the trip. The girls had decided on a hundred and one things to take with
them, and had rejected as many, only to make new selections. But finally
even their exacting tastes were gratified, and satisfied, and their
trunks were ready to go.

"But oh, I do wish Aunty Stonington was better," sighed Amy, the day
before that set for their departure.

"Why, is she worse?" asked Betty.

"She seems very weak. Uncle is quite worried about her, though the
doctor says the change will benefit her as soon as we get there. But I
am afraid about the trip, though we are to go in a compartment car, and
won't have to change."

"That will be lovely," said Grace. "We'll look after your aunt for you,
Amy."

"That's sweet of you girls. Perhaps it will not be as bad as I fear. But
she seems failing rapidly. The winter has been unusually severe for
her."

"And poor mamma is not herself," murmured Grace. "Lack of news from Will
seems to prey on her mind. But there! don't let's talk any more about
our troubles. Let's look on the bright side of the clouds. I'm sure we
ought to just hug Amy to pieces for giving us this nice trip."

"Well, please leave enough pieces of me so I can eat an orange or two
when we get to Florida," laughed Amy.

"Also enough to catch a few alligators," added Betty.

"Don't you mention the horrid things!" cried Grace with a nervous
shiver. "Are there really any there, Amy? Say no, my dear, and I'll give
you two chocolates."

"Well, there are some," said Amy, who never could seem to dissimulate.
"But Uncle Stonington says they are small--at least, near where we are
going. Some people have them for pets."

"Mercy!" cried Grace. "I'd as soon have a pet snake."

"Well, we won't worry about them until we get bitten," suggested Mollie.
"And perhaps their bark is worse than their bite. Do they bark, Amy?"

"I'm sure I don't know."

"No, they cry--like babies," said Grace. "Don't you remember 'alligator
tears?'"

"She's thinking of crocodiles," said Betty. "Or else alligator pears."

"Worse and worse," protested Mollie. "We'll have the fauna and flora of
Florida hopelessly mixed before we get through. Now let's see if we have
everything packed," and they went over their list of belongings for the
tenth time.

But all things must have a