around the world in a little ship
of my own. Or, think, one might be a pearl-diver, or lead some exciting
life like that. Now, Phil Alden, don't you go and arrange for me just to
marry and keep house and never have a bit of fun or any excitement in my
whole life!"

Phyllis laughed teasingly. "Oh, you will have plenty of excitement, Madge
dear, wherever you are or whatever you do. Don't you remember how Miss
Betsey used to say that she knew something was going to happen whenever
you were about? I suppose you would like to be a captain in the Navy like
your father, so that you could spend all your time on the sea."

"No," returned Madge, "I should want a ship of my own. I wouldn't like to
be a captain in the Navy. There, you always have to do just what you are
told to do, and you know, Phil, that obedience is not my strong point."
The little captain laughed and shook her russet head. "You see, Phil, I
think that if I could go around the world, perhaps in some far-away land
I would find my father waiting for me."

For several minutes the two chums were silent. At last Phil leaned
forward and gave Madge's arm a gentle pinch. "Wake up, dear," she
laughed, "perhaps some day you will own that little ship and go around
the world in it. Just now, however, we had better go on to the houseboat.
I believe Nellie and Lillian are going to wait at the golf club until the
last mail comes in, so they can bring our letters along home with them.
We must say good-bye to that nice Ethel Swann. She is a dear, in spite of
her ill-bred friends."

Phyllis and Madge found Miss Jenny Ann sitting in a steamer chair on the
houseboat deck exchanging fairy stories with Tania. The little girl knew
almost as many as did her chaperon, but Tania's stories were so full of
her own odd fancies that it was hard to tell from what source they had
come.

"Do you know the story of 'The Little Tin Soldier,' Tania?" Miss Jenny
Ann had just asked. "He was the bravest little soldier in the world,
because he bore all kinds of misfortunes and never complained."

With a whirl Tania was out of Miss Jenny Ann's lap and into Madge's arms.
The child was devoted to each member of the houseboat party, but she was
Madge's ardent adorer. She liked to play that she was the little
captain's Fairy Godmother, and that she could grant any wish that Madge
might make.

Phil, Madge and Tania sat down at Miss Jenny Ann's feet to hear more
about "The Brave Little Tin Soldier."