When he returned this time, she was up and properly ensconced among her belongings. She smiled exuberantly, as Jerry came toward her, the focus of all eyes. "Good-morning, Jerry dear. Isn't this jolly?" "You ought to be spanked!" "Oh, come off! Don't use that stage-father tone. I hoped you would be glad to see your little Cricket, Jerry." "Well, I'm not." "You may as well cheer up, because, glad or mad, you've got to see me." "What on earth made you do such a crazy thing?" "I couldn't stand it to be left alone with that dull bunch. I told you I'd come north with you, and I always do what I say I will." "It must be comfortable to be so unhampered by consideration of others!" "What others?" "Your parents." "Oh--them!" "And me." She considered that. "You mean you don't want me." "Certainly I don't want you. You have put me in a very uncomfortable position." "I wanted to." "What have I done to you, to make you displease me this way?" "You've done enough," sullenly. "What, for instance?" "You've put a crimp in everything for me." "I'm sorry to hear that. I thought we were good chums." "I don't want to be your chum." He looked at her, puzzled. "Look here, kid----" "Don't you call me kid," she blazed. "Let's talk this over calmly, just as if I were your big brother. Maybe there is something I don't understand about it. In the first place, how did you manage it? How did you get on the train without being seen?" "I came aboard as soon as the car was opened, and went to bed. I tried to get your upper, but you had bought the whole section. I wanted to pop my head down and say 'boo' at you this morning. But I must have gone to sleep because I didn't know when we started." "Did you have some money?" "I touched Wally for some yesterday." "Is your ticket for New York?" "Yes." "Then what are you going to do?" "That depends on you." "On me?" "Yes, of course. Don't you see that it does? I left a note for mother, saying I had run away with you, so I think you'll have to marry me, Jerry." He laughed outright, but one look at her face silenced him. "I beg your pardon, but that strikes me as a little high-handed, your running off with me, like this, and then demanding that I marry you. Modern, but extreme, I should say. How old are you?" "I am sixteen and a half," with dignity. "Well, even at that advanced age we do make mistakes, and this is one of yours, Isabelle. I expect a wire from your father saying that he will follow us to Jacksonville, and take charge of you." "I'm not going back on that damned yacht!" "My child, the decision as to your destination lies with your respected father. In the meantime, you must be starving, so we'll go to lunch."