es in it," called out
Dick.

"They look familiar to me," announced Tom. "Yes, they are Dora Stanhope
and Grace and Nellie Laning!" he cried.

"Well, this is a pleasure," said Songbird, and forgot all about what he
was going to say concerning his verse making.

The carriage was soon up to them. It was a two-seated affair, and on the
front seat were Dora and Nellie and in the rear Grace and Mrs. Stanhope.

"We were going to stop at Putnam Hall for a few minutes," said Dora,
after the greetings were over. "It was such a lovely day we couldn't
resist the temptation to go out for a long drive."

"Sorry we won't be at the Hall to receive you," answered Dick, and he
gave Dora such an earnest look that the pretty girl blushed.

"The girls have something up their sleeve," said Mrs. Stanhope. "And
they wanted to see you and Captain Putnam about it."

"We are getting up a little party," announced Nellie. "It is to come off
at Dora's home some time this fall. We wanted to find out if Captain
Putnam would let you and a few of your friends come over."

"Oh, he'll have to let us come!" cried Tom. "Why, I wouldn't miss a
party for anything!" And he said this so comically that all of the girls
laughed.

"We haven't set any date yet," said Grace. "But you'll speak to Captain
Putnam about it, won't you? We thought you might make up a party of say
eight or ten boys, and come over in the carryall."

"It's as good as done," announced Sam, with a profound bow. "Please put
me down on your card for the first two-step."

"Und put me town for a dree-steps," added Hans, and at this there was
another laugh.

"I don't know whether we'll have dancing or not," said Mrs. Stanhope.
"But we'll try to have a good time."

"Who do you want us to invite--if we can come?" questioned Dick.

"Oh, Dick, we'll leave that to you. Of course we want all who were on
the houseboat," and Dora looked at the Rovers and Songbird and Hans.

"With Fred that will make six. Shall I ask Larry Colby and George
Granbury?"

"If you want to--and two more. But please don't ask those boys we just
met," went on Dora, hastily.

"You mean Tad Sobber and Nick Pell?" questioned Tom, quickly.

"One called the other Nick. He was a very large lad," said Mrs.
Stanhope.

"Sobber and Pell sure," murmured Tom. "What did they do?"

"Stood right in the middle of the road and would not get out of the
way," explained Grace. "I think they were perfectly horrid!"

"They mad