Natty had cast loose in his boat , the Merry Maid , and hoisted his sail . In a few minutes he was skimming gaily down the bay . The wind was fair and piping and the Merry Maid went like a bird . Natty , at the rudder , steered for Blue Point Island , a reflective frown on his face . He was feeling in no mood for Victoria Day sports . In a very short time he and Ev and Prue must leave Blue Point lighthouse , where they had lived all their lives . To Natty it seemed as if the end of all things would come then . Where would life be worth living away from lonely , windy Blue Point Island ? David Miller had died the preceding winter after a long illness . He had been lighthouse keeper at Blue Point for thirty years . His three children had been born and brought up there , and there , four years ago , the mother had died . But womanly little Prue had taken her place well , and the boys were devoted to their sister . When their father died , Everett had applied for the position of lighthouse keeper . The matter was not yet publicly decided , but old Cooper Creasy had sized the situation up accurately . The Millers had no real hope that Everett would be appointed . Victoria Day , while not absolutely stormy , proved to be rather unpleasant . A choppy northeast wind blew up the bay , and the water was rough enough . The sky was overcast with clouds , and the May air was raw and chilly . At Blue Point the Millers were early astir , for if Everett wanted to sail over to the mainland in time to catch the excursion train , no morning naps were permissible . He was going alone .
Since only one of the boys could go , Natty had insisted XXXXX it should be Everett , and Prue had elected to stay home with Natty .
In after for from of on that to while with