“Decent time!” he muttered. “What’s a vacation for if you can’t lie in bed when you’re sleepy? I’ve a good mind to go back again.” He looked speculatively at his disordered bed, and then peeped through the tent door. What he saw decided him. “Bacon and eggs,” he murmured appreciatively. “Where are my trousers? A fellow doesn’t have to have socks to eat breakfast in.” But the trousers revealed the missing stockings, and as he proceeded to dress leisurely he warbled loudly for the benefit of the others: “The lark came up to meet the sun And carol forth its lay; The farmer’s boy took down his gun And at him blazed away. “The busy bee arose at five And hummed the meadows o’er; The farmer’s wife went to his hive And robbed him of his store. “The little ant rose early too, His labors to begin; The greedy sparrow that way flew And took his antship in. “O birds and bees and ants, be wise; In proverbs take no stock; Like me, refuse from bed to rise Till half past eight o’clock.” “If you’re not out here in two minutes,” called Dick, “we’re going to duck you.” “Brutes!” answered Chub. “Who’s got my necktie?” The inquiry elicited no response and he was compelled to solve the mystery unaided. The missing article was finally discovered dangling from the pocket of his shirt. The tent was filled with a subdued yellow light, for the sun was shining brightly from a clear, blue sky, and here and there a low-hanging branch was silhouetted against the canvas. Through the opening a cool, moist breeze blew in, tempting the dawdler into the morning world. But what tempted him still more was the fragrant odor that came from Dick’s pan and the accompanying eloquent sizzling sound. Chub was out before the two minutes had expired. The bacon and eggs were frying merrily, the coffee-pot was exhaling a fragrant aroma through its spout, and life was wonderfully well worth living. Chub balanced himself precariously on the jutting stone and performed a somewhat sketchy toilet. Then he and Roy tumbled into the canoe and shot it out across the green-shadowed water. Harry had given up her horn in disgust and was sitting on the landing, a picture of patience. As they drew near a fox terrier rustled out of the trees and ran toward them wagging a wisp of a tail in hilarious greeting. “I brought Snip along,” explained Harry. “He loves to run around on the island, and I’m not afraid of his getting lost because, of course, he can’t get off. Methuselah wanted to come too, but I didn’t see how I could bring him.” “It’s just as well,” said Roy. “He might get seasick crossing over.” “Do you think parrots can get seasick?” asked Harry curiously as she took her place in the canoe. “Well, we wouldn’t want to risk it,” answered Roy evasively. “Isn’t it a swell morning?” “Beautiful. I’ve been up nearly two hours. I hope you’ve got something nice for breakfast.”