ve you boys fussing around?"

"Well, I was just in search of information," Allen answered defensively.
"And all I get is scorn and ridicule."

"Hard luck, old man," said Will, feelingly. "I am in the same boat. But
you girls had better look out," he added threateningly. "Don't forget
that I had something to suggest to-night and if you don't treat me
better, I'll----"

"Will this do," interrupted Mollie, and, with hands clasped in prayerful
attitude, she besought Will, with tears in her voice, to have pity. "Oh,
kind and noble sir," she said, "be kind--be gracious to us, your humble
slaves, and deign to honor----"

"Now that's something like," broke in Will, beaming around on the
assembled company. "If you had done that from the first, Mollie----"

"Oh, Will, please hurry," Betty urged impatiently. "I know you have
something good to tell us, and I wish you wouldn't keep us in such
terrible suspense."

"Well, since you appreciate how great is the----"

"Yes, yes, go on," Grace interrupted.

"News I am about to impart," he continued without a glance in her
direction.

"You will impart it," Allen finished for him.

"Thank you," said Will, bowing gravely in Allen's direction. "As our
friend says, I will proceed. Well, to come down to brass tacks," he
continued, dropping the air of dignity, which, considering his youthful
appearance, was always very comical, "I thought maybe you fellows would
like to put up a tent on the same island and camp there near the girls
for the rest of the summer. We could have no end of fun."

There was a yell of joy from the boys, and the excited exclamations,
questions and answers that followed showed that they agreed heartily
with Will in his last prophecy that "they would have no end of fun."

"Oh, won't it be great!" cried Betty, her cheeks flushed with
excitement. "I do believe this is the very best of all," then her face
clouded as she turned to Allen, who had not been taking a very active
part in the conversation.

"Do you think you can make it, Allen?" she asked, trying to keep the
eagerness out of her voice. "You said something about a change in the
management of the firm----" her voice was questioning.

"Why, I was just wondering if I couldn't fix things up some way," he
answered seriously. "It looks as if some of our work might have to lay
over for a time anyway, and if it does----"

"Of course you will have to manage it somehow, Allen," Frank broke in.
"Why, having yo