ip. Mopsy and I were the bad ones, as usual, and I think we ought to
be punished."

"I think so, too," said Mr. Maynard, "but as this is a vacation holiday I
hate to spoil it with punishments, so I'm going to wait until you cut
up your next naughty trick, and then punish you for both at once. Is that
a good plan, Mother?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Maynard, looking fondly at the culprits, "but I want to
stipulate that the children shall not go out in the boat again without
some grown person with them."

"I'm glad of that," said Marjorie, "for no matter how hard I try I don't
believe I could sit perfectly still in a boat, so I'll be glad to have
some grownup go along."

"That's my chance," exclaimed Uncle Steve, "I'll take you any time you
want to go, Midget, and I'll guarantee to bring you back without a
ducking."

"Thank you, Uncle Steve," said Marjorie; "shall we go right after
breakfast?"

"Not quite so soon as that, but perhaps to-morrow. By the way, kiddies,
what do you think of having a little party while you're here? That would
keep you out of mischief for half a day."

"Oh, lovely!" exclaimed Marjorie. "Uncle Steve, you do have the
beautifullest ideas! What kind of a party?"

"Any kind that isn't a ducking party."

"But we don't know anybody much to invite," said Kitty.

"Yes, I know quite a few," said Marjorie, "and King knows several boys;
and anyway, Molly and Stella will help us make out a list. How many
shall we have, Uncle Steve?"

"About twenty, I think, and I'll have a hand at that list myself. I know
most of the children around here. This afternoon get Molly and Stella to
come in after school, and we'll make the list. We can send the
invitations to-night, and have the party day after to-morrow. That's
warning enough for such young, young people."

"It seems to be your party, Steve," said Mrs. Maynard, smiling; "can't I
help you with the arrangements?"

"Yes, indeed; you and Mother can look after the feast part of it, but the
rest I'll attend to myself."

After breakfast the children were advised to stay indoors for a while,
lest they get into more mischief, and also until their elders felt that
there was no danger of their taking cold.

"Lucky we didn't have Rosy Posy with us," said King, picking up his
smallest sister, and tossing her up in the air.

"Don't speak of it," said his mother, turning pale at the thought; "and
don't ever take the baby on your escapades. She's too little to go
th