A NEW FRIEND. 21 



of the place, and walked Dick about from side to side of the 

 room to show him their butterflies and birds' eggs, stuffed birds, 

 and the other natural history curiosities which the boys had 

 collected, while they were followed by Frank and Jimmy, who 

 smiled at her eagerness. They had a very fair collection of 

 eggs, including most of the common kinds, but their collection 

 of butterflies was not so good, as neither Frank nor Jimmy 

 cared so much for entomology as they did for ornithology. 



"What are all these plans and drawings for ?" said Mary, 

 pointing to the litter on the table. 



"Shall we tell her Jimmy?" said Frank. 



" Yes, why not ? She will know some time, so she may as 

 well know now. Besides, she can help us to make the sails, 

 you know. We sha'n't do the sewing so well as the wood- 

 work." 



So the great project of the yacht was explained. Mary 

 danced about the room in glee, and already fancied herself 

 sailing about the broad. Dick said 



" If it can be done, it would be the nicest thing one could 

 think of." 



" It shall be done," said Frank decisively, and Dick looked 

 up at him with admiring envy, and replied 



" Then I will help you all I can, and go shares with you in 

 the expense." 



" You are a brick," said Frank ; " come and look at our 

 plans, and see if you can make any suggestions." 



Later on, when Frank and Jimmy were left alone, Frank said 



" He'll do, Jimmy." 



Jimmy said, " Yes," but looked mournful. 



" What's the matter, Jimmy ? " 



" Two are company, but three are none ; and you may like 

 him better than me." 



Frank's hand descended heavily on his friend's shoulder, and 

 he shook him roughly. 



" Don't be a fool, Jimmy," was all that he said, but in spite 

 of the rude speech and the rough action, Jimmy saw a mean- 

 ing beyond, and was quite satisfied. His face grew bright 

 again, and from that time forward a warm friendship existed 

 between the three boys, and was never broken or disturbed by 

 any twinge of jealousy. 



They lost no time in commencing to build the boat. The 



