he said, 'these will be a great improvement to the place. Got
them up, roots and all.'

Meanwhile Hamish had relieved Tricksy of her load, and Neil was helping
the little girl over the stones.

'Why, Tricksy,' said Marjorie, as the little girl took her seat, 'you
_have_ got yourself into a state!'

'I know, but I couldn't help it,' said Tricksy, looking ruefully down
at her little black hands and muddy frock. 'Reggie wanted the ferns
for our garden, and we've been digging away with pieces of wood in the
banks of the burn. Some of them had roots ever so deep down, and we
couldn't help making ourselves muddy. I'll wash my face and hands in
the sea.'

'Why ever did you bring _that_ thing with you?' said Allan in disgust,
pointing to the little dog who was standing on the shore. Already
Laddie had sprung on board and was lying curled up on the stern seat,
confident of his welcome. 'We'll have to leave him in one of the
cottages until we come back.'

'No, no!' cried Marjorie and Tricksy; 'Carlo must come too.'

'Let him come,' said Hamish; 'he won't be in the way.'

The little dog, who had been frisking about and wagging his tail, sat
up and begged, looking from one to the other of the young people with a
beseeching whine.

'You darling,' cried both the girls; and Tricksy sprang out of the boat
and lifted him in.

Allan looked contemptuous as he pushed off; but Laddie gave a little
yelp of satisfaction, and the little spaniel curled himself cosily in
Tricksy's lap, while Marjorie leaned over and petted him when the boys
were not looking.

The steady strokes of the rowers brought the boat rapidly through the
water, while the herring gulls flew screaming around, and a small
island in the middle of the firth came nearer and nearer.

Presently the sea became shallower, and the boat shot up on the beach.

'Here we are,' said Marjorie, springing out first; 'now you must see
what we've made of the place, Allan. Haul up the boat, Hamish; and
Reggie, you might hand out some of these things. Take care you don't
drop any of them. Every one take something, and let's come.'

Laddie waited impatiently while the articles were distributed among the
party, and then followed his young friends with an anticipatory bark.
Carlo was lifted out by Hamish, and immediately set off to chase a gull
which sailed majestically out to sea, and left him barking on the shore.

'Now, Allan,' said Reggie, his dark eyes twinkling; 'y