friends tramping over the space that separated the two bungalows.

The girls fled precipitately, for they had begun to lay aside their
collars and loosen their hair. Then the two ladies took charge of matters,
in the kitchen at least. The boys were bidden to remain out on the piazzas
until invited in, and they sprawled in various attitudes in chairs or
hammocks.

Then the girls came down; there was noticed throughout the bungalow
various savory odors, at which the boys grinned in delight. There was
the clatter of plates, and the jingle of silver--more expansive smiles.
There were looks of pleased anticipation. Then came the clanging of a bell.

"Supper!" announced Mrs. Chester, appearing in the door wearing a huge
apron.

"That's us!" cried Jack.

"Oh, I've just thought of it!" exclaimed Cora in a low voice to Eline,
as she walked beside her to the dining room.

"Thought of what?"

"The name 'Margaret!'"

CHAPTER XV

LAUNCHING THE "PET"

"Pass the olives again, please!"

"Aren't the lobsters delicious?"

"Are you referring to us?" Ed bristled up, and looked rather aggressively
at Belle.

"If the net fits----" she murmured.

"Net being the sea-change from shoe," spoke Jack.

"Please pass the olives," came again from Bess, waiting patiently. "I've
only had----"

"A dozen!" interrupted Ed.

"I have not!"

"Children!" rebuked Cora.

They were all at the supper table--I prefer, since we are now at sea,
which makes so many equal--to call the late meal supper, in preference
to dinner. No fisherman ever eats a "dinner" except at noon, and it was
now well on to six o'clock. And they were making merry, were the motor
maids and boys.

Mrs. Chester had made bountiful provision for the party and they were
now enjoying it thoroughly. Over in the bungalow of the boys were ample
supplies for days to come, though such as would not keep had been laid
in sparingly.

"You girls certainly look nice enough to----"

"Eat, were you going to say?" asked Eline, who was particularly
"fetching," to quote Norton, whereupon Jack wanted to know what it was
she was expected to "fetch."

"Well, at least nibble at," remarked Walter. "Some of you don't look as
though you would stand more than a nibble," and he looked particularly at
Bess.

"Oh, but there is so much to do," sighed Cora, as she thought of the
arrangements for the night. "We really must hurry through supper and
straighten things out. Then we can r