Presently Cora remembered
that Laurel had not met Paul before, and so introduced them. She
merely said Laurel in mentioning names, but the omission of anything
so unimportant as a last title would never be noticed among these
young folks.
"Say now, let a fellow breathe" begged Paul, "and also let him puff
out a little. There! I feel better! And I just want to remark
that I have found the lost canoe!"
At the words "lost canoe" Laurel started. Cora saw her, and slipped
over to her side.
"You need not worry, dear. Everything is safe with us," whispered
Cora, pressing the other's hand.
"Our old original! You don't mean it?" exclaimed Ed.
"None other," declared Paul. "And I wonder you did not find it
before."
"Where was it?" asked Walter.
"Tied up to your own dock. I just spied it as I landed."
"Oh, you go on," threatened Jack. "Do you think we are teething?"
"No, jollying," vowed Paul. "I just this minute guessed it."
Without more comment the entire party hurried out the door, and made
for the dock. Jack won first place and so held the lantern.
"She's red," he declared. "While ours was green."
"Just a matter of time," said Paul in his delightfully easy way.
"Most girls are green when they come up here, and--"
Ed's hand was over Paul's mouth so he could not complete the joke.
Jack was looking for the tell-tale piece of wood that had been
inserted in the end of the canoe to mend a slight break.
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