“We hope you haven’t changed your minds about the race and regatta,” spoke Mr. Stone, after some generalities had been exchanged.  “By the way, I have the entry blanks for you,” and he passed the papers to Betty, who accepted them with murmured thanks.

“We shall very likely enter both the pageant and the race,” she said.  “When do they take place?”

“The pageant will be held two nights hence.  That will really open the carnival.  The boats, decorated as suit the fancies of the owners, will form in line, and move about the lake, past the judges’ stand.  There will be prizes for the most beautifully decorated boat, the oddest, and also the worst, if you understand me.  I mean by the last that some captains have decided to make their boats look like wrecks, striving after queer effects.”

“I should not like that,” said Betty, decidedly.  “But if there is time, and we can do it, we might decorate?” and she looked at her chums questioningly.

“Surely,” said Grace, and Mollie took the chance to whisper to her: 

“Why don’t you start some questions?”

“I will—­ if I get a chance,” was the answer.

Betty was finding out more about the carnival when the start would be made, the course and other details.  The races would take place the day after the boat parade.

“There will be canoe and rowing races, as well as tub and ‘upset’ events,” said Mr. Stone.  “We are also planning to have a swimming and diving contest the latter part of the regatta week, but I don’t suppose you young ladies would care to enter that.”

“We all swim, and we have our bathing suits,” said Mollie, indefinitely.

“Mollie dives beautifully!” exclaimed Amy.

“I do not—­ that is, I’m not an expert at it,” Mollie hastened to say.  “But I love diving.”

“Then why not enter?” asked Mr. Kennedy.  “I am chairman of that committee.  I’ll put the names of you girls down, if you don’t mind.  It doesn’t commit you to anything.”

The girls had no formal objections.

“You are real out-door girls, I can see that!” complimented Mr. Stone.  “You must like life in the woods and on the lake.”

“Indeed they do,” spoke Aunt Kate.  “They walked—­ I think it was two hundred miles, just before coming on this cruise; didn’t you, Betty?”

“Yes, but we took it by easy stages,” evaded the Little Captain.

“That was fine!” exclaimed Mr. Kennedy.  “Well, Harry, if we’re gong to eat we’d better take our salt and go.”

“Won’t you have some of our sandwiches?” asked Mollie, impulsive as usual.  “We have more than we can eat,” for they had brought along a most substantial lunch.  Mollie looked at Betty and Aunt Kate.  They registered no objections.

“You are very good,” protested Mr. Kennedy, “but really we don’t want to deprive you——­ "

“It will be no deprivation,” said Betty.  “We will be glad not to have them wasted——­ "