“I am afraid we shall have to do so when we wish to move.”

“Then it’s my own self for a tug,” declared Crazy Jane.  “I shall go out to-morrow looking for a good stout steam tug.  I wonder if there is such a thing in this neighborhood?”

“Maybe they have one at the farm houthe up there on the hill,” suggested Tommy.  But not a smile did her observation draw from her companions.

“No, Jane.  We aren’t going to let you spend any more money for us.  We are out to rough it, and we are going to do so.  We must get along by ourselves,” announced Miss Elting.  “Of course it was different when those young men towed us out, and now and then we may accept a tow.  The way to do will be to make short journeys, not to try to take long trips.  Moving by easy stages we should be able to make the complete circuit of the lake before the vacation is ended.”

“How long is the lake?” questioned Harriet.

“About thirty miles in a straight line, I believe.”

“Thirty miles,” groaned Crazy Jane.

“Oh, help!” moaned Margery.

“Thave uth!” lisped Grace.

“I thought you girls wanted recreation and exercise,” laughed the guardian.

“Why, of course we do, Miss Elting,” declared Harriet.

“Of course,” agreed Jane, nodding.  “But dragging a house all around a thirty-mile lake is neither exercise nor recreation.  It’s hard labor.  If you don’t think so just get out and drag us around this cove once—­Once!”

“I have a plan,” announced Harriet.

“It’s a good one, if Harriet Burrell thought it out,” returned Miss Elting smilingly.  “What is your plan, Harriet?”

“Some of you may not like the idea, but it is an excellent one, I am sure.  This is my idea.  When we decide to cross the lake, if we do, I would suggest waiting until some day when the wind is blowing directly across.  Then we can tow the ‘Red Rover’ out with the rowboat until the wind catches us.  The rower should then get aboard the houseboat, after which the wind will carry us all the way across the lake.  How do you like it?”

“Oh, thave me!” piped Tommy.

“Yes.  You need some one to save you about once every five minutes I’m thinking, Tommy Thompson.  Now, if Crazy Jane had thought out such a plan, no one would have been surprised.  But for Harriet Burrell to do so—­oh, my!” exclaimed Jane.

“I do not think the plan feasible,” declared Miss Elting.  “I am not saying that it would not work, but I don’t believe I care to trust myself to drift across the lake in a gale.  No, thank you.  We will keep to the shore.  Remember, we are on the water, Harriet.”

“Yes.  And it isn’t so long ago since we were in it,” nodded Jane.  “Tommy was the last to be in it.  Please pass the potatoes.  This life at sea does sharpen one’s appetite.  It wouldn’t do for me to go to sea really.  I’d get so hungry between meals that I’d gnaw the masts off short.”