“Now Uncle, just let me show you a trick or two about stowing away those supplies.  You’re not in the least scientific about it.”

Thus he buzzed about, inquisitive and officious.

Katherine and Miss Judy looked into each other’s eyes and exchanged exasperated glances.  Then Katherine’s eye took on a peculiar expression, the one which always registered the birth of an idea.  At dinner, which came just before the expedition started, she was late—­a good twenty minutes.  She tranquilly ate what was left for her and was extremely polite to Counsin Monty, answering his continuous questions about the coming trip with great amiability, even enthusiasm.  Miss Judy looked at her curiously.

The expedition started.  Monty, who had Miss Peckham in the canoe with him—­she being the only one who would ride with him—­insisted upon going at the head of the procession.  “I’ll paddle so much faster than the rest of you,” he said airly, “that I’ll want room to go ahead.  I don’t want to be held back by the rest of you when I shall want to put on a slight spurt now and then.  That is the way I like to go, now fast, now slowly, as inclination dictates, without having to keep my pace down to that of others.  I will start first, Uncle, and lead the line.”

“All right,” replied Dr. Grayson a trifle wearily.  “You may lead the line.”

The various canoes had been assigned before, so there was no confusion in starting.  The smallest of the canoes had been given to Monty because there would be only two in it.  Conscious that he was decidedly ornamental in his speckless white flannels and silk shirt he helped Miss Peckham into the boat with exaggerated gallantry, all the while watching out of the corner of his eye to see if Pom-pom was looking at him.  He had been trying desperately to flirt with her ever since his arrival, and had begged her to go with him in the canoe on the trip, all in vain.  Nevertheless, he was still buzzing around her and playing to the audience of her eyes.  By fair means or foul he meant to get the privilege of having her with him on the return trip.  Miss Peckham, newly graduated into the canoe privilege, was nervous and fussy, and handled her paddle as gingerly as if it were a gun.

“Ah, let me do all the paddling,” he insisted, knowing that Pom-pom, in a nearby canoe, could hear him.  “I could not think of allowing you to exert yourself.  It is the man’s place, you know.  You really mustn’t think of it.”

Miss Peckham laid down her paddle with a sigh of relief, and Monty, with a graceful gesture, untied the canoe and pushed it out from the dock.  Behind him the line of boats were all waiting to start.

“Here we go!” he shouted loudly, as he dipped his paddle.  In a moment all the canoes were in motion.  Monty, at the head, seemed to find the paddling more difficult than he had expected.  He dipped his paddle with great vigor and vim, but the canoe only went forward a few inches at each stroke.  One by one the canoes began to pass him, their occupants casting amusing glances at him as he perspired over his paddle.  He redoubled his efforts, he strained every sinew, and the canoe did go a little faster, but not nearly as fast as the others were going.