It ought to be far enough away from the--the
mainland--to be romantic. How far away do you think it should be, Mr.
Ripley?"
"The way I feel about it I think it should be at least two thousand
miles off."
"Silly!" said Miss Daring. "Please be serious. Do you think about
three yards would be romantic?"
"I never measured romance by the yard," said Townsend, "but I should
think about three yards and a half of romance would be enough. If we
have any left over we can give it to the discoverer. He eats it alive."
"And I'll tell you what I'll do," shouted Pee-wee; "it's an
inspiration."
"Another?" Townsend asked.
"I'll--I'll--I'll stay on the island----"
"I thought so," said Townsend.
"And--and--I'll stand right here by the traffic sign and after somebody
that's eating has had enough, I'll turn the sign so it says STOP; I'll
turn it so it's facing him."
"Did you ever hear anything so absurd?" said Minerva.
"I think it would be picturesque," said Dora.
"And sensible, too," said Margaret, "because some of those scouts will
just stay here and gorge themselves and won't dance at all."
"I think it's a very good idea," said Townsend; "it will relieve
congestion here. A food traffic cop."
"I'll be it," shouted Pee-wee.
"Where is this romantic scaffold?" Townsend asked.
"The painters left it in the cellar," said Minerva. "Let's hurry, I'll
show you where it is."
There was, indeed, just time enough to arrange this novel life-saving
station with its picturesque gang-plank before the guests began to
arrive.
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