"Why, Wynnie!" gasped Polly, with a deeper color in her cheek. "Don't you dare to act 'offish,'" warned Wyn. "The Lavines feel very kindly toward you--you know it. And now I am sure Mr. Lavine will feel more than kindly toward your father. Bring them together, Polly." "You talk as though _I_ could do anything," responded the boatman's girl. "You can. You can do everything! Show your father that you feel kindly toward Mr. Lavine. That will break down _his_ coldness quicker than anything," declared the inspired young peacemaker. Wet and bedraggled, Mr. Lavine and his companion stepped ashore. "Hi, Polly!" shouted her father. "Take Mr. Lavine up to the house and see if he can wear some of my things while his clothes are drying. I can find something at the shed here, for Bill." Polly hesitated just a moment. The eager Wyn gave her a little push from behind. The boatman's girl ran forward to greet Mr. Lavine. "Oh, sir!" she cried, timidly, "I am _so_ sorry you had this accident." "I don't know yet whether I am sorry, or not," said Mr. Lavine, grasping her hand. She turned and walked beside him and her other hand sought his arm in a friendly way. John Jarley stood on the landing and followed them with his eyes. The expression upon his face pleased Wyn immensely. She beckoned Frank away. "Come on! let's hurry back to the camp before it gets dark. Mrs. Havel will be worried about us." "And leave Mr. Lavine here?" queried Frank. "He couldn't be in better hands; could he?" "I don't know that he could, Wyn!" cried her friend, suddenly. "What a smart girl you are!" But Wyn would not accept that praise without qualifying it. "The accident was providential," she declared, gravely. "And without _my_ assistance I am sure Polly knows how to do the right thing." Perhaps Polly did. At least she gave much attention to their visitor, and her father could not help but see that Polly and Mr. Lavine were very good friends. In half an hour Mr. Lavine appeared from the cottage dressed in Mr. Jarley's best suit of clothes. He shook hands with Polly, and then suddenly drew her to him and kissed her on the forehead. "You are a dear girl, Polly," he declared, with some emotion. "I have to thank you for my little girl's life; and now I am going to thank your father for _mine_." He walked straight down to the landing where Mr. Jarley was apparently very busy. "Bill, here, says he will row you over to that camp if you care to go, Mr. Lavine," said the boatman. "I don't want to see Bill, John," said the real estate man. "I want to see _you_. I am going to take advantage of my position as your guest, John. You cannot turn me off, or refuse to talk with me. You always were a gentleman, John, and I am sure you will listen to me now." Mr. Jarley looked at him a good deal as Polly had looked (at first) at Wyn Mallory.