Mrs.
McKittrick, I don't want another bite to eat, and it's evident from the
looks of the house that either these folks don't get dinner, or else
they have already eaten it."

"We've had it," volunteered Irene, "but it wasn't very good."

"Irene McKittrick!" gasped her mother.

"She is right," laughed Tabitha. "To-day was scrap dinner. We have it
once a week to get rid of all the odds and ends. However, it isn't
very popular. No, thanks, we won't need a lunch put up for us. If we
get hungry before we reach Los Angeles, we'll patronize the diner.
Sorry we can't stop to tell you all the news, but if Dad said we must
go back on this train, I suppose we must. Where are you staying, Myra?
Avalon? Catalina Island?"

"The very same."

Tabitha clasped her hands together and drew a deep breath. "How
perfectly splendid!"

"I guess I'm dreaming," murmured Gloriana, half aloud, pinching herself
vigorously to make sure she was really awake. "Do you get there by
boat?"

"Of course, goosie! Did you think we took an airship? Hurry up,
slowpokes!"

Laughing and chattering gleefully, the trio gathered up their
possessions, made a hurried visit to the Catt cottage, packed their
trunks, and were at the station long before the train rumbled its way
back to the great city by the sea.

"We are going to have the grandest kind of a time," Myra told them.
"All sorts of high jinks. We've got a dandy site for our camp,--a
dozen tents--"

"A dozen!" cried Tabitha in a panic. "Why, who are with you? I
thought it was just your family."

"You knew Gwynne was there?"

"Yes, but she wouldn't occupy a dozen tents. I'm scared!"

"You needn't be," mocked Myra soothingly. "I'll bet you will vote it
the jolliest bunch you ever got mixed up with."

"Do I know any of them?"

"Do you consider yourself acquainted with Gwynne and me?"

"Of course. I meant any of the others."

"Well," Myra spoke dubiously, "if you don't, I think you will get
acquainted easily." And with that remark she adroitly turned the
conversation and managed to avoid that subject during the rest of their
journey.

When the train drew into the dingy little depot the next morning, and
the trio gathered up their wraps preparatory to alighting, Tabitha was
suddenly heard to ejaculate, "Why, there is Dad! And he's talking
with--Miss Pomeroy, as sure as I'm alive! Myra Haskell, is Miss
Pomeroy occupying one of those twelve tents?"

Myra glanced hastil