ventured Cleo, her mind running to the story
of the little girl on the frozen mother's breast, told them by Captain
Dave.

"Yes, Mom never spoke to me again, and I hate that ocean ever since."

The girls exchanged glances. Surely she must be the one spoken of by
Captain Dave.

"But you like still-water?" suggested Grace, in order to relieve the
tension.

"Love the little Round River, Glimmer Lake, and even the bay," replied
Kitty, "but not that monster."

It seemed to the scouts she used a queer mixture of phrases. Cleo
thought she might be addicted to reading sensational books.

"Do you go to school?" queried Julia.

"Sure, every one has to go to school, and I don't stay on the island in
winter." This last was said in a tone implying every one ought to know
that.

"You come over here in winter?" It was Louise who dared press that
question. They all felt Kitty was due to take another tantrum any
minute. She had been almost dangerously good, so far.

"Yep," the finality of this spoke for itself.

"We're just going over to the life saving station to see Captain Dave,"
said Cleo. "Glad we didn't hurt you as we ran."

"Couldn't," said Kitty. "I don't hurt. Nothin' touches me. And say, I
wasn't mad when I pegged the box at you the other day. I was just
funnin'."

"You didn't hurt me either," returned Louise, quite as good-naturedly.
"A little pasteboard box couldn't hurt a scout."

"Do you belong to the government?" asked Kitty suddenly.

"We're not enlisted, if that's what you mean," answered Cleo, "but we
learn to give service if it is needed."

"I'd like a suit like yours. Must be fine for fogs. Sometimes I can't
get into my rags they're so soggy over there in the woods."

Every one silently agreed such clothes as she possessed would surely
become "soggy" under the trees.

"But only a scout can wear the uniform," said Grace, being careful to
use a very kindly tone.

"What do you have to do?" inquired Kitty, evincing interest.

"When we meet you again we'll tell you about it," replied Louise. "But,
say Kitty, we want to take a trip over to the island some day. Shall we
see you over there?"

"To the island!" she shouted, and all her gentleness was gone instantly.
"Don't you dare; the dogs would eat you up!"

"Oh, no, we don't mind dogs," Cleo hurried to say. "Besides, you must
know them and you could keep them in check."

"Oh, no, I couldn't," she was plainly excited now. "Don't you dare come
o