ve got to give a
definite answer to those life-partners, you know," was Polly's lugubrious
reply.

"I don't know, Polly! In such an unexpected matter as our going to the
South Seas, a mere beau will have to bide his time. We may find a Fiji
Islander more interesting to us than one of our Yankee beaus," laughed
Eleanor.

Mrs. Courtney heard and pondered what had just been said; her next words
did not hint of her having heard the discussion, however.

"If I do take such a trip, it shall not be in the approved line of Cook's
Tours. I want to adventure in absolute freedom, with no tagging tourists
or other obstacles to a perfect adventure. I would carefully select a
party of fifteen or twenty harmonious souls and charter or buy a private
yacht. Then start and stop as we pleased. No hurry, no lagging, unless we
chose. It seems to me that such a wonderful outing would bring peace, at
last, to my restless spirit." Mrs. Courtney sighed.

The girls laughed because they thought she was joking. But Mrs. Courtney
was in earnest, as they were to find out. However, the topic now being
discussed was the South Sea Isle trip so she was determined to conclude
that before she launched another.

"If I invited you two girls to accompany me as private assistants during
the trip, and should we find a score of kindred spirits willing to take a
trip such as I plan, why could you not steal six months or a year from
your profession, in order to see the world? Surely it would do you no
harm, and you are still young enough to go on with your work when you
return to New York?"

Polly and Eleanor seemed to have exactly the same idea. But Eleanor spoke
impetuously of it, while Polly pondered seriously. "Dear me! If only Mr.
Dalken could spare the time to take _his_ yacht and invite us to
accompany him on just such a voyage--what a wonderful trip it would be!"

Mrs. Courtney glanced at the girls, then said: "I've heard so much of
your great Mr. Dalken but I've never seen him. How old a man is he, and
what does he look like?"

"Oh, Dalky is not as old as he looks, because he has had such an unhappy
life, you know; that is how we came to love him so! We felt keenly for
him," exclaimed Eleanor, regardless of the sharp nudge Polly gave her as
a warning to hold her tongue.

"Yes, I know his silly wife, poor man!" murmured Mrs. Courtney. She
seemed to be lost in a sad strain of thought for a short time, and the
girls hesitated to speak, just then.