gged by the big fellow. "Let Sister see how he's grown since New
Year's. Why, we'd hardly have known our Bobbins; would we, Ruthie? Let
me fix your tie--it's under your ear, of course. Now, that's a neat
little boy. You can shake hands with Ruthie, and Helen, and Mary, and
Jennie, and Mercy Curtis--and help Uncle Noah get off the trunks."

The three boys, being all of the freshman class at Seven Oaks, had less
interest in the final exercises of the term at the Academy than the
girls had had at Briarwood; therefore the whole party took a train that
brought them to the landing at Portageton, on Osago Lake, before noon.
From that point the steamer _Lanawaxa_ would transport them the length
of the lake to another railroad over which the young folks must travel
to reach Cheslow.

At this time of year the great lake was a beautiful sight. Several lines
of steamers plied upon it; the summer resorts on the many islands which
dotted it, and upon the shores of the mainland, were gay with flags and
banners; the sail up the lake promised to be a most delightful one.

And it would have been so--delightful for the whole party--had it not
been for a single member. The Fox could not get over her unfriendly
feeling, although Ruth Fielding gave her no cause at all. Ruth tried
to talk to Mary, at first; but finding the older girl determined to
be unpleasant, she let her alone.

On the boat the three boys gathered camp-chairs for the party up forward,
and their pocket money went for candy and other goodies with which to
treat their sisters and the latter's friends. There were not many people
aboard the _Lanawaxa_ on this trip and the young folks going home from
school had the forward upper deck to themselves. There was a stiff breeze
blowing that drove the other passengers into the inclosed cabins.

But the girls and their escorts were in high spirits. As Madge Steele
declared, "they had slipped the scholastic collar for ten long weeks."

"And if we can't find a plenty of fun in that time it's our own
fault," observed Heavy--having some trouble with her articulation
because of the candy in her mouth. "Thanks be to goodness! no rising
bell--no curfew--no getting anywhere at any particular time. Oh, I'm
just going to lie in the sand all day, when we get to the Point----"

"And have your meals brought to you, Heavy?" queried Ruth, slily.

"Never you mind about the meals, Miss. Mammy Laura's going down with
us to cook, and if there's on