uses, especially in the
country. But it was found to be a good deal of a fallacy. I guess,
after all, Mrs. Grimsby has it partly right. Human beings cannot
easily command the elements which Nature controls."

"Seems to me we are disproving that right in this radio business,"
cried Jessie. "And it is going to be wonderful--just _wonderful_--before
long. They say moving pictures will be transmitted by radio; and there
will be machines so that people can speak directly back and forth, and
you'll have a picture before you of the person you are speaking to."

She began to laugh again. "You know what Amy says? She says she always
powders her nose before she goes to the telephone. You never know who
you may have to speak to! So she is ready for the new invention."

"Just the same, I am rather timid about the lightning, Jessie," her
mother said.

THE CANOE TRIP

CARTER'S GHOST

CHAPTER VII

THE CANOE TRIP

Of course, Jessie Norwood and Amy Drew did not spend all their time
over the radio set in Jessie's room. At least, they did not do so
after the first two or three days.

There was not much the girls cared to hear being broadcasted before
late afternoon; so they soon got back to normal. Not being obliged to
get off to school every day but Saturday and Sunday, had suddenly made
opportunity for many new interests.

"Or, if they are not new," Amy said decisively, "we haven't worn them
out."

"Do you think we shall wear out the radio, honey?" asked Jessie,
laughing.

"I don't see how the air can be worn out. And the radio stuff
certainly comes through the air. Or do the Hertzian waves come through
the ground, as some say?"

"You will have to ask some scientist who has gone into the matter more
deeply than I have," Jessie said demurely. "But what is this revived
interest that you want to take up?"

"Canoe. Let's take a lunch and paddle away down to the end of the
lake. There are just wonderful flowers there. And one of the girls
said that her brothers were over by the abandoned Carter place and
found some wild strawberries."

"M-mm! I love 'em," confessed Jessie.

"Better than George Washington sundaes," agreed her chum. "Say we
go?"

"I'll run tell Momsy. She can play with my radio while we are gone,"
and Jessie went downstairs to find her mother.

"I tell you what," said Amy as, with their paddles, the girls wended
their way down to the little boathouse and landing. "Won't it be great
if t