think so just get out and drag us around this cove
once--_Once!_"

"I have a plan," announced Harriet.

"It's a good one, if Harriet Burrell thought it out," returned Miss
Elting smilingly. "What is your plan, Harriet?"

"Some of you may not like the idea, but it is an excellent one, I am
sure. This is my idea. When we decide to cross the lake, if we do, I
would suggest waiting until some day when the wind is blowing directly
across. Then we can tow the 'Red Rover' out with the rowboat until the
wind catches us. The rower should then get aboard the houseboat, after
which the wind will carry us all the way across the lake. How do you
like it?"

"Oh, thave me!" piped Tommy.

"Yes. You need some one to save you about once every five minutes I'm
thinking, Tommy Thompson. Now, if Crazy Jane had thought out such a
plan, no one would have been surprised. But for Harriet Burrell to do
so--oh, my!" exclaimed Jane.

"I do not think the plan feasible," declared Miss Elting. "I am not
saying that it would not work, but I don't believe I care to trust
myself to drift across the lake in a gale. No, thank you. We will keep
to the shore. Remember, we are on the water, Harriet."

"Yes. And it isn't so long ago since we were in it," nodded Jane. "Tommy
was the last to be in it. Please pass the potatoes. This life at sea
does sharpen one's appetite. It wouldn't do for me to go to sea really.
I'd get so hungry between meals that I'd gnaw the masts off short."

"I really can't eat another mouthful!" exclaimed Tommy. "I gueth I'll go
up on deck and walk thome."

"And I guess you will stay right here and wash the dishes with me,"
commanded Margery Brown. "Do you think I am going to wash them alone,
while you promenade on deck? Not I!"

"I had forgotten about the dithheth. But I've got a plan about that. You
jutht put the dithheth in a bag and thouthe them up and down in the
lake. Then you put them on deck till they dry off. Now, ithn't that a
plan? That ith a better plan than Harriet thaid jutht now."

"I feel sorry for your house if you ever own one," laughed Harriet,
beginning to clear off the table.

"Yeth tho do I. But I feel more thorry for the folkth who have to live
with me."

"I propose that we all take a hand in doing the work," suggested
Harriet. "The evening is so fine that we should enjoy it together. I'll
clear off the table."

"And I'll brush it," offered Jane. "Then I'll sweep the floor. Say, this
is fine. Al