ere
made. Before the _Lanawaxa_ pulled out of the dock, they were all having
great fun.

"But how we will miss Madge!" was the general cry of the older girls,
for Bobbins' sister no longer attended Briarwood Hall, and her absence
would be felt indeed.

Not being under the immediate eye of his sharp-tongued sister, Bobbins
showed his preference for Mercy Curtis, and spent a good deal of time at
the lame girl's side. He was so big and she was so slight and delicate,
that they made rather an odd-looking pair.

However, Bobbins enjoyed her sharp tongue and withstood her raillery.
She called him "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum" and made believe that she was very much
afraid of him; yet it was noticeable that there was no venom in the
sharp speeches the lame girl addressed to her big cavalier--and Mercy
Curtis could be most unmerciful if she so desired!

Soon they were on the train again, and a short run to the Seven Oaks
station, where the red brick barracks of the Military School frowned
down upon the railroad from the heights above.

"I wouldn't go to school in such an ugly place," declared the girls.

Here is where they separated from their boy friends. A great, ramshackle
bus, and another vehicle, were waiting at the end of the platform. An
old man in a long duster stood beside the bus to help the girls in and
see to their baggage. This was "Uncle Noah" Dolliver.

At once The Fox formed the girls into line, and keeping step to the
march, they tramped the length of the platform, singing:

"Uncle Noah, he built an ark--
One wide river to cross!
And in it we have many a lark--
One wide river to cross!
One wide river!
One wide river of Jordan!
One wide river!
One wide river to cross!

"The Sweetbriars get in, one by one--
One wide river to cross!
The last in line is Heavy Stone--
One wide river to cross!"

And the plump girl _was_ the last one to pop into the ancient equipage,
filling the very last seat--_tight_!

"Lucky you brought along another wagon, Uncle Noah," said The Fox, as
the remainder of the girls ran to the second vehicle.

Both of the wagons soon started. It was a hot and dusty afternoon and
the girls were really crowded.

"I'm squeezed in so tight I can't think," moaned Helen.

"Ouch!" cried Belle Tingley. "That's my funny-bone you hit, Lluella,
with your handbag. Oh! how funny it feels."

"Did you ever know why they call th