once they were alone in the wee sitting-room of the old Kinzer
homestead, she put her arms around her, saying:

"Now, my darling, tell me what it all means."

"Why, mother, it was partly my mistake and partly the flag-man's and the
driver's, and I'm sure Mrs. Kinzer was kind. She knew me, before I said
a word, by my resemblance to you."

"Oh, I don't mean that! How is it you are here so soon? I thought you
meant to make a long visit at your Uncle Hart's."

"I would but for those boys."

"Your cousins, Annie!"

"Cousins, mother! You never saw such young bears in all your life. They
tormented me from morning till night."

"But, Annie, I hope you have not offended--"

"Offended, mother! Aunt Maria thinks they're perfect, and so does Uncle
Joe. They'd let them pull the house down over their heads, you'd think."

"But, Annie, what did they do and what did you say?"

"Do! I couldn't tell you in all day; but when they poured ink over my
cuffs and collars, I said I would come home. I had just one pair left
white to wear home, and I traveled all night."

Poor Mrs. Foster! A cold shudder went over her at the idea of that ink
among the spotless contents of her own collar-box.

"What boys they must be! But, Annie, what did they say?"

"Uncle Joe laughed till he cried, and Aunt Maria said boys will be boys,
and I half believe they were sorry; but that was only a sort of a
winding-up. I wouldn't stay there another hour."

Annie had other things to tell, and, long before she had finished her
story, there was no further fault to be found with her for losing her
temper. Still, her mother said, mildly:

"I must write to Maria at once, for it wont do to let those boys make
trouble between us."

CHAPTER VIII.

Dab Kinzer and his friend were prompt enough in coming to the rescue of
their unfortunate fellow-crabber; but to get him out of the queer wreck
he had made of that punt was a tough task.

"I isn't drownin'," exclaimed Dick, heroically, as the other boat came up
beside him. "Jest you take yer scoop-net an' save dem crabs."

"They wont drown," said Ford.

"But they'll get away," said Dab, snatching the scoop. "Dick's head is
level on that point."

The side boards of the old punt were under water half the time, but the
crabs were pretty well penned in. Even a couple of them that had
mistaken Dick's wool for another sheep's-head were secured without
difficulty.

"What luck he'd been having!" said Ford. "