e time the party returned that evening Benny was still sitting
beside Dunham, but the boy was doing all the talking, while John was
sailing. Not even when they reached the ledges did Benny remember his
proud privilege as pilot, but allowed his companion to conduct the
boat's devious course while he expatiated on some races that had taken
place earlier in the season. Had they not gone swimming together before
luncheon, and had not Dunham's athletic feats and man-to-man treatment
of the island boy completely subjugated him?

The tin pails they had carried were now in the locker, brimming with
berries. The breeze that cooled the party all the way diminished
gradually as the sun lowered, and at last the boat crept on slow wings
to its mooring like a weary bird to its nest.

"And very lucky we were to get here instead of having to walk the
length of the island," said Edna, as she jumped out on the dock. "John,
how should you have liked to walk two miles carrying all the berries?"

Dunham shook his head as he bundled their paraphernalia out of the
boat. "I should have insisted on sitting down to supper at once. It
would have been a case like that of the 'Niger tiger:'--

'They returned from the ride
With the berries inside.'"

Edna laughed and added, "'And the smile on the face of'--who? Not one
of us would have dared to smile. Even now Sylvia is the only
presentable member of the party."

John looked at the younger girl curiously.

"It's a fact, Miss Sylvia, your self-control to-day has been something
uncanny. Don't you like blueberries?"

"More than that," returned the girl significantly. "I love them."

"But not to eat," remarked Edna. "Of course Sylvia is too well-bred to
love anything to eat. I don't know the fate she designs for those
treasures of hers, but I suspect she intends to have them set in a
necklace with elaborate pendants."

Sylvia colored, her eyes shining as she hugged a full pail away from
the curious, laughing gaze of her companions. Every berry in it had
been selected for its size and darkness; and when the others had begged
for one plum from her appetizing collection she had guarded them
jealously, and, refusing to allow her pail to be placed with the others
on the return trip, had held it in her lap, superior to all jeers and
the alarming threats of her ravenous companions.

Leaving the boat the trio bade Benny good-night and started up the
hill.

"Now then, John, say good-by to