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. All one has to do with the rubbish is just to drop it
overboard. The fishes will come and clean it up. It's easy to keep house
on a houseboat. We're going to have a fine time this summer. I feel it
in my bones."

The supper work was cleared away quickly. Jane filled the hanging lamps,
while Harriet trimmed and filled the lantern that was to be put out as a
night light so that other craft should not run into them during the
night.

"All hands on deck!" commanded Harriet, after the last of the work had
been finished.

"That reminds me. We must elect our officers," said Miss Elting, after
the girls had climbed to the pleasant upper deck. "Whom shall we have
for our captain?"