`` No , thank you . I think I 'll leave the rest till auntie comes , and go and help you somewhere else , if I may . '' `` Yes , indeed , come on and see to the kitchen . Can you cook ? '' asked Charlie , as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up a sail-cloth awning . `` I can make tea and toast bread . '' `` Well , we 'll shew you how to fry fish , and make chowder . Now you just set these pots and pans round tastefully , and sort of tidy up a bit , for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work , and I want it to be decent here . '' By four o'clock the camp was in order , and the weary workers settled down on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie , who was never far from mamma 's apron string . They looked like a flock of blue-birds , all being in sailor rig , with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven hats to have set up a milliner . Very tuneful blue-birds they were , too , for all the lads sang , and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie long before she saw them . The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag , and the blue-jackets cheered lustily , as they did on every possible occasion , like true young Americans . This welcome was answered by the flapping of a handkerchief and the shrill `` Rah ! Rah ! Rah ! '' of the one small tar who stood in the stern waving his hat manfully , while a maternal hand clutched him firmly in the rear . Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never received a heartier greeting than `` Little Mum '' as she was borne to her tent by the young folk , for love of whom she smilingly resigned herself to three days of discomfort ; while Jamie immediately attached himself to Rose , assuring her of his protection from the manifold perils which might assail them . Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry , Aunt Jessie soon proposed supper , and proceeded to get it , enveloped in an immense apron , with an old hat of Archie 's stuck atop of her cap . Rose helped , and tried to be as handy as Phebe , though the peculiar style of table she had to set made it no easy task . It was accomplished at last , and a very happy party lay about under the trees , eating and drinking out of anyone 's plate and cup , and quite untroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders in places which these interesting insects are not expected to adorn .
`` I never thought I should like to wash dishes , but I do , '' said XXXXX , as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea , and rocking luxuriously as she wiped them .
Archie Cleopatra Jamie Jessie Rah Rose awning days milliner o'clock