that sly."

"Yes, my dear Agatha, I have; a yacht and a ready-made crew, and the
very prettiest saloon in the world, and sleeping-cabins that you will
think it an honour to be sea-sick in, and a cook's galley with bright
copper fittings, and a cook with a white cap, and steam-steering gear
if you care to use it, and----"

"For goodness sake, don't overwhelm us; and what are you going to do
with your white elephant, now that you have got it?"

"Do with it? why, ride on it, of course. 'Ladies and gentlemen,' or
rather 'lady and gentleman.' Attention! You will both be in marching,
or rather in sailing, order by four this afternoon, for at five we
start for the Canaries. Now, no remarks; I'm a skipper, and I expect
to be obeyed, or I'll put you in irons."

"You've done that already," said Arthur, _sotto voce_.

"Mildred, I won't go, and that's flat."

"My dear, you mean that you are afraid of being flat. But, Agatha,
seriously, you must come; nobody is sick in those semi-tropical
waters, and, if you won't, I suppose it would not be quite the thing
for Arthur and I to go alone. And then, my dear, just think what a
splendid place the Canaries must be for insects."

"Why?" asked Agatha, solemnly.

"Because of all the little birds it has to support."

"But I thought they lived on hemp-seed."

"Oh, no--not in their native land."

"Well, I suppose I must go; but I really believe that you will kill me
with your mania for sea-voyages, Mildred. I suppose you will take to
ballooning next."

"That is by no means a bad idea; I should like to see you in a
balloon, Agatha."

"Mildred, I know where to draw the line. Into a balloon I will never
go. I have been into a Madeira sledge, and that is quite enough for
me. I always dream about it twice a week."

"Well, my dear, I promise never to ask you when I want to go
ballooning; Arthur and I will go by ourselves. It would be a grand
opportunity for a tete-a-tete. And now go and see about getting the
things ready--there's a dear; and, Arthur, do you send John down to
Miles' for your portmanteau."

"Hadn't I better go and see about it myself?"

"Certainly not; I want you to help me, and come down and talk to the
skipper, for he will be under your orders, you know. He is such a
delightful sailor-man, perfect down to his quid, and always says, 'Ay,
ay,' in the orthodox fashion. Certainly you must not go; I will not
trust you out of my sight--you might run away and leave me al