"
"Oh, wouldn't that be great!" said Mollie, with genuine enthusiasm.
"Yes, she's a fine girl," Betty echoed. "I only wish she lived in
Deepdale, so we might invite her to join our happy little party."
"Yes, and the boys like her brother, too," said Grace. "Will says he is
a fine fellow; and Will never says a thing like that unless he means
it."
"Do my eyes deceive me?" cried Betty, springing up and pointing toward
the mainland, "or is that the good old Pine Island dreadnaught steaming
majestically from the harbor? Tell me some one--am I right?"
"You are!" cried Grace, dramatically. "That noble ship could be no
other."
"Oh, do stop your nonsense," cried Mollie impatiently. "Are you sure
that's the ferry?"
"Since it is the only apology for a boat that ever comes this way,"
Grace remarked lazily, "I guess it must be."
"Oh, Grace, don't tease," warned the Little Captain, in an aside. "Can't
you see how worked up Mollie is? No wonder she is excited--the news may
mean a lot to her."
Grace glanced at her chum and saw that Betty had spoken the truth.
Mollie's hands were clenched tight to her side, crimson flamed in her
face, and her foot tapped nervously on the ground.
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