d Phil gently.
She did not understand the child's odd fancies, as Madge did.

Tania nodded her head quietly. "Of course I have," she returned simply.
"Hasn't every one a Fairyland, where things are just as they should be,
beautiful and good and kind? I am the queen of my kingdom."

Phil looked puzzled, but Madge only laughed. "Don't mind Tania, Phil. She
is going to be a very sensible little houseboat girl before our holiday
is over. Besides, I understand her. She only says some of the things I
used to think when I was a tiny child. But I do wish the people on the
boats would not stare at us so; there is nothing very wonderful in our
appearance."

The girls were trying to guide their rowboat among the other larger craft
that were afloat on the bay. They wished to get into the more remote
waters. In the meantime it was embarrassing to have smartly dressed women
and girls put up their lorgnettes and opera glasses to gaze at the girls
as the latter rowed by.

"Can there be anything the matter with us?" asked Phil solicitously. "I
never saw anything like this fire of inquisitive stares."

"Of course not, Phil," answered Lillian sensibly. "It is only because we
are strangers at Cape May, and most of the people whom we see about come
here each year. Then we are the only persons who live in a Noah's ark, as
those pleasant people on the yacht called our pretty 'Merry Maid' last
night. Don't worry. Have you thought how odd it is that we won't even
know them if we should be introduced to them later? We did not see either
them or their boat very plainly last night; we only overheard them
talking."

"But I'll know the voice of that woman who screamed," replied Madge
rather grimly. "I just dare her to shriek again without my recognizing
her dulcet tones."

The girls were now drawing away from the crowded end of the bay. They
kept along fairly close to the shore. There was an occasional house near
the water, but these dwellings were farther and farther apart. Finally
the girls rowed for half a mile without seeing any residence save an
occasional fisherman's hut. They hoped to reach some place where they
could catch at least a glimpse of the wonderful cedar woods that flourish
farther up the coast of the bay.

Suddenly Lillian sang out: "Look, girls, there is the dearest little
house! It is almost in the water. It rivals our houseboat, it is so like
a ship. Isn't it too cunning for anything!"

Madge and Phyllis rested on th