pe' and the
trunk was 'Pandory's Box,' or some such crazy foolishness. She meant to
jump out when the young ladies came back, but Norah went into the room
with some clean towels, and when the little one bobs her head out of that
box, just like a black witch, poor Norah is scared out of her wits and
drops on the floor all of a heap. If that child doesn't go away from here
soon, Ma'am, I don't know how we can ever bear it."

"That will do, Richards," answered Mrs. Curtis coldly. But Madge could
see that she was dreadfully vexed at Tania's latest naughtiness.

The little captain gave Mrs. Curtis a penitent hug. "It is all my fault,
dear. I should never have brought the little witch here," she murmured.
"I'll go and make it all right with Norah and see that Tania does no more
mischief--for a while, at least."

Mrs. Curtis looked somewhat mollified, nevertheless, she was far from
pleased, and Madge's championship of little Tania was to cause the little
captain more than one unhappy hour.

CHAPTER VI

A MISCHIEVOUS MERMAID

There was a splash over the side of a boat, then another, one more, and a
fourth. The water rippled and broke away into smooth curves. Down a long
streak of moonlight four dark objects floated above the surface of the
waves. For a few seconds there was not a sound, not even a shout, to show
that the mermaids were at play.

Two dark heads kept in advance of the others.

"Madge," warned a voice, "we must not go too far out. Remember, we
promised Jenny Ann. My, but isn't this water glorious! I feel as though I
could swim on forever."

A graceful figure turned over and the moonlight shone full on a happy
face. The two swimmers moved along more slowly.

"Nellie, Lillian!" Madge called back, "are you all right? Do you wish to
go on farther?"

Phil and Madge floated quietly until their two friends caught up with
them.

"I feel as though I could go on all night at this rate," declared Lillian
Seldon. Eleanor put her hand out. "May I float along with you a little,
Madge?" she asked. "I am tired. How wide and empty the ocean looks
to-night! We must not get out of sight of the lights of the 'Merry
Maid'."

"There is no danger!" scoffed Madge.

"Look out!" cried Phil Alden sharply. She was swimming ahead. She saw
first the sails of a small yacht making across the bay with all speed to
the line of the shore that the girls had just quitted.

"Let's follow the boat back home," suggested Madge.