“Well, they’d only want to sleep in it. They could have that, and the rest of us could have the bedroom and living-room. We’d need some cot-beds--there’s a bully bed in the bedroom now, you know--and some sheets and blankets and things. Pshaw, we could fix it up easy!” “Well, she’s crazy to go,” said Dick; “and she made me promise to ask you chaps.” “When does she go away to her aunt’s?” asked Roy. “The day after to-morrow; and she’s going to stay two weeks. That is, if she can come with us. If not she’ll stay three, I believe. Did you write to her, Roy?” “Not yet,” Roy answered. “I thought we’d get together and talk it over. If you fellows think we can arrange it I’d be mighty glad to have her. She’s a whole lot of fun, Harry is.” “Then let’s take her along,” said Dick eagerly. “Sure,” said Chub. “Let’s write to her now. Where’s your paper and things, Roy?” They all had a hand in the composition of that letter, and when finished and signed it ran as follows; _Miss Harriet Emery_, Ferry Hill School, Ferry Hill, N. Y. MY DEAR MISS EMERY: You are cordially invited to join us in a cruise up the Hudson River in the good ship _Jolly Roger_, which will call for you at Ferry Hill in about three weeks, the exact date to be decided on later. Please bring your doughnut recipe, and any one else you want to. Come prepared for a good time. All principal foreign ports will be visited, including Troy, Athens, Cairo, and Schenectady. The catering will be in the hands of that world-renowned chef, Mr. Dickums Somes, formerly of Camp Torohadik, Harry’s Island. Kindly reply as soon as possible to address above. Trusting that you will consent to grace the house-boat with your charming presence, we subscribe ourselves your devoted servants, CHUB, Master, ROY, A. B., DICK, Steward. “What’s A.B. mean?” asked Roy, suspiciously. “It means Able Seaman,” replied Chub. “I put it that way because it’s probably the only chance you’ll ever have of getting your A.B.” [Illustration: Writing the invitation to Harry] “You don’t suppose, do you,” asked Dick anxiously, “that she’ll take that literally: about bringing any one else she wants to? She might think we meant her to bring a crowd, a bunch of girls from that school of hers.” “Maybe we’d better change that a little,” agreed Roy. “Well, we’ll say ‘Bring your doughnut recipe and any other one person you want to.’ How’s that?” “All right; although, of course, a doughnut recipe isn’t a person.” “Oh, that’s just a joke,” laughed Chub. “Hadn’t you better label it?” asked Dick innocently. “How is she going to know it’s a joke?” “She has more discernment than some others I wot of,” replied Chub loftily.