"He calls everything, 'she,' and if it was an auto he'd
'anchor' it near the river just to be close to the water he loves so
much."
"What if it's an airship?" asked Amy.
"I shall-- learn to run it!" declared Betty.
"Never!"
"Yes I shall."
"Let us hope it is but a rowboat then," sighed Amy.
They went out on the public dock in the Argono River. At the string
piece was tied what the girls saw was one of the neatest motor boats
that, as Will said afterward, "ever ate a gasoline sandwich."
There was a trunk cabin, an ample cockpit at the stern, a little
cooking galley, a powerful motor, complete fittings and everything
that the most exacting motor boat enthusiast could desire.
"There she is!" cried Mr. Marlin. "There's the surprise, Bet. I got
her for you! I named her the Gem-- for she is a gem. Aside from an
ocean steamer there's no better boat built. I saw to it myself. I've
been planning that for you for years. And there you are. The Gem is
yours. I want you girls to take a cruise in her, and if you don't have
a good time it will be your own fault. There's the Gem for you, Betty.
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