Allen laughed softly, and put a hand over Betty's little clenched
one.

"I don't suppose he meant to shoot me, especially," he said. "It was
my fault for getting in the way of the bullet."

"Yes, that's a mighty bad habit to get into," remarked Roy dryly,
"especially in these times, when we're more than likely to get a
chance to exercise it."

"Ooh!" squealed Amy, giving a sudden splash with her paddle, that
sent a geyser of spray all about her, causing several loud protests.
"I wish you'd stop talking about such things. I'd like to stop
shivering for about five minutes."

The girls giggled hysterically and felt more natural.

"Goodness," sighed Grace, after five minutes of silence, during which
each had been busy with his or her own thoughts. "This paddle never
seemed so long to me before."

"Thanks," said Frank. "May I ask whether you are referring to the
company?"

"I wasn't even thinking of the company," retorted Grace ungraciously.

"Gee, we must be impressive," murmured Roy. "She doesn't even know
we're around."

"Stop paddling, Frank," suggested Mollie maliciously, "and see how