“Don’t try,” and the woman smiled.  “The enjoyment has been all on my side.  It is the best time I have had in years.”

For about half an hour Miss Royanna stayed, but it seemed only a few minutes to the invalid girl.  The rest went out and left them alone.  It appeared to Whyn as if heaven had suddenly opened, and an angel in the form of this singer had come down.  She felt perfectly at ease now, and talked freely, telling about herself and her mother.  It was only natural, however, that Rod should form the principal object of conversation.  In fact, Miss Royanna led the girl on to talk about him, and the mother’s heart was made happy as Whyn told how kind Rod was to her, and what a fine boy he really was.

“Will you write to me, dear?” the singer asked, as she bade the girl good-bye.

“Oh, may I?” and Whyn’s face glowed with pleasure.  “But you will not care to hear about our uninteresting affairs in Hillcrest.”

“Indeed I shall.  Tell me everything, and especially about Rod.  You see, I know him better than the rest.”

“Will you come to see me again?” Whyn enquired.

“Yes, just as soon as I can.  I want to spend several weeks here in this lovely place.  Then I shall be right near you, and find out all about the scouts.”

“Oh, how nice!” and Whyn clasped her hands together.  “I shall look forward to your coming.  It will be something more to live for now.”

All the people on the grounds crowded around the car as the singer stepped on board.  Rod was standing right by the door, watching her face with great interest.  How she longed to stoop, fold him in her arms, kiss mm, and proclaim that he was her own boy.  But, no, not now.  She must wait.  Waving her hand to the crowd, she was borne swiftly away, leaving the people with a great and new topic of conversation, which would last them for many a day.

CHAPTER XX

THE ISLAND ADVENTURE

Next morning the scouts met at the Anchorage to find out how much money they had made.  Great was their delight to learn that they had taken in fifty dollars and seventy cents.  It seemed too good to be true, and the only way they could account for the large sum was the money contributed by several men who had come in autos.  They had paid a dollar apiece for their tickets, and had spent money liberally upon ice-cream, cake, and candy.  No refreshments were left over, and but for the timely assistance of Miss Arabella there would not have been enough.

It was in Whyn’s room where this meeting took place.  Captain Josh said very little at first, for he was satisfied to let the rest do the talking.  He was happy at the way the affair had turned out, and he wished to do something to celebrate the occasion.