“Dee?  Yes.”

“What sort of person is he?”

“Oh, Dee’s all right.  He doesn’t amount to a whole lot, but he is a good fellow.  Why?” He shot a suspicious glance at Harriet.

“Nothing, except that he was looking after the boat for Miss Elting’s brother before we came down here.”

George put an end to the conversation by announcing that it was time they got the “Red Rover” out.  The motor boat was paddled out into deeper water, then the houseboat was fastened to the motor boat and the power started, while all the boys save two pulled and hauled on the heavy houseboat.  It floated slowly out into deeper water, while the girls cheered the efforts of the Tramp Club.

The anchor, in the meantime, had been put on board and a new loop made at the end of the rope.  The girls now climbed into the rowboat and were rowed out to the “Red Rover,” after which the motor boat began towing the “Red Rover” into the lake, with Captain George Baker at the helm.  He had remained aboard to give further assistance, if needed.

“This is the worst old tub to steer that ever I took hold of,” he declared.

“We found it so,” agreed Harriet.  “You will get the knack of it soon.  When you do, you will find steering it rather easy.”

They reached a cove farther up the lake, shortly after noon.  Here the Meadow-Brook Girls decided to anchor, as there was a farmhouse on a bluff a little way inland, where they thought they would be able to get milk, eggs and vegetables.  George decided that he would call in the motor boat and return to camp, promising to come over and see them later to get their orders for the following day.

Miss Elting and her girls expressed their appreciation of the kindness of Captain Baker and his friends.

“We haven’t done anything worth while yet,” retorted Captain Baker.  “Perhaps we may give you a real opportunity to thank us, later on.  On the other hand, you may not wish to thank us,” he added, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“Now, I wonder what the boy meant by that?” thought Crazy Jane, regarding George shrewdly through half-closed eyes.

Captain Baker went over the side, boarding the motor boat after he had cast anchor for the girls and made everything snug.  Then, with many good-byes on both sides, the power boat chugged away toward the Tramp Club camp, the Meadow-Brook Girls turning to the duties of the day.

The first task was to get their clothing in condition.  There was now no one to interfere with them.  Flatirons were put on the oil stove, which was once more in working order, and the work of pressing out their wrinkled clothing was begun.  Harriet and Jane handled the irons.  Miss Elting took down the curtains, which also were sadly in need of ironing, while Margery and Hazel prepared the noon meal.  Tommy perched herself on the rail of the upper deck, and caroled forth a lisping ditty.