Part 21 (1/2)

'Oh, it's--it's--_I_ know,' stuttered Gerald, flushi+ng deeply

'It's--I'll put it all right, you needn't come'

The remainder of the sentence was lost as he hurried upstairs

'Whatever is he about?' said Marjorie; 'let's go and see'

Gerald becaain as he was discovered in the roo some small objects from the floor

You needn't have come,' he said 'It's--it's only ----'

'Ha, ha!' laughed Harry; 'it's those snails and things that he has been gathering on the beach, and they've crawled all over the place!'

Gerald stood, flushi+ng to the roots of his hair, and shrinking fro to make themselves at home in their new quarters The little crabs and lobsters had scattered in search of water, and the shell-fish had crawled over the floor or attached themselves to the wall, where they waited with tilted shells for the tide that failed to coan to start in the boy's eyes; 'it's very nice ot a nice pail with a lid that I'll give you to keep the things in'

'And now,' said Mrs Stewart, 'I see the pony cart coet ready, girls, or we shall be late'

After about a quarter of an hour's tidying, Marjorie was released froe frock and a large hat, and with her hair brushed out and neatly arranged

Feeling unlike herself and hardly satisfied with the change, she peeped in the glass as soon as her mother's back was turned

Her own reflection caused her to start and colour with surprise

Blue eyes, bright with suppressed excitement, a wild rose face fraht colours of her attire, slender hands and neat ankles--'and that's me,' said Marjorie to herself in bewildering frock with a big floppy white hat

'Dear lance in the irls had met in silent approval of one another; 'curious that we've never thought of it before--perhaps it's because we so seldolass--but it strikes irls--with our hair brushed and our faces washed!'

They went downstairs without speaking, and encountered the boys in the hall

All eyes were attracted to the expression cairls passed they moved somewhat aside to look at them from another point of view

Despite the anxiety which had brooded over her since an to feel her spirits rise

'Marjorie,' said Tricksy solee, 'which do you think is the best fun, being a boy or being a girl?'

Marjorie had been lost in thought, but at Tricksy's question her eyes began to dance

'I think it's best of all to be a tomboy,' she said, 'and then you can be a bit of both!'

When the sailors had shi+pped their oars, and the boat glided under the side of the great war-vessel, first the ladies, and then the girls were assisted on deck and greeted by the captain, erect and broad-shouldered, and by the officers, the youngest of as Tricksy's friend of the year before Dr MacGregor and the laird and Mr Graham were already on board