"What's a conclave? And it is no use going on at me about that
bucket of water I tilted over down the ladder on to Nick Jones; it
stood so handy, and wanted such a little push, that I just could
not help doing it," the boy answered in a sullen tone. He had been
in mischief on board the steamer, escaping with a warning from the
captain and a lecture from Mrs. Burton; but he was by no means
repentant yet, although perhaps a trifle apprehensive of the form
of reprisal which Nick Jones might choose to take.

Katherine laughed. She had been in mischief herself too often when
at Phil's age not to feel sympathy with him on the score of the
prank he had played that afternoon. It was this same sympathetic
understanding of their moods and actions which gave her so much
influence with the boys, enabling her to twist them round her
little finger, as Miles expressed it.

"A conclave is a talk, discussion, or argument, but it has nothing
to do with your getting into mischief, Phil. It was a great
temptation, as you say, and I expect that in your place I should
have longed to do the same. Only there is another side from which
to view the business, and that is the side of Nick Jones. No doubt
he feels a bit ruffled, and if he thrashes you for your impudence,
or ducks you in the river, why, you will just have to take it lying
down."

"He has got to catch me first," said Phil, with that disposition to
swagger in which he delighted to indulge. Then he burst out
eagerly, as he slid his arm round her waist and leaned his head
back against her arm: "It was truly lovely, Katherine, and you
would have laughed until you choked if you had been there. Nick
was just setting his foot on the bottom of the ladder, and his face
was all smuts and smudges, so that he looked as if he had not
washed for a fortnight; he had got his mouth open too, wide open,
and I guess that was the first mouthful of clean water that he has
swallowed for a good long while past."

"You are really a shocking boy, and if you get a ducking it will be
only what you deserve," said Katherine, who was laughing at this
picture of the discomfiture of Nick Jones. "But sit down here and
let us get our business settled, because we are all tired and
longing for bed."

"I'm not tired," said Miles, shutting the book he had been reading
with a sigh. It always seemed to be time to go to bed when he
wanted to sit up, just as it was always morning and time to get up
when h