Miss Vantine had to act this time. She sent a final letter to the Bryces with a sentence of suspension for their daughter, who was packed off home at once, in disgrace. Mrs. Bryce was furious because she and Wally were going off with the Abercrombie Brendons on their yacht. She explained their dilemma to their hostess and she was decent enough to include the girl, but it was a nuisance to have her along.
No time was lost in letting Isabelle feel her disgrace. After a perfunctory greeting, her mother remarked:
"You've made a nice record for yourself, haven't you?"
"Foolish question, Number One. Yes, I have made a nice record for myself."
"If you make yourself a nuisance around here, I shall find a way to punish you," she threatened her.
"Go ahead. Get it all off your chest at once and then drop it."
Mrs. Bryce decided upon injured dignity, as her best rôle.
"What's doing around here? I expect to enjoy myself on this little vacation. I hope you don't intend to be too disagreeable."
Later at dinner Wally remarked to his wife--
"We are going off on the Abercrombie Brendons' yacht, and your unfortunate return has forced Mrs. Brendon to include you in the party."
"But I won't go. Shut up on a boat with you two and the Brendons? Not much."
"You're not being consulted," remarked her mother, coolly.
"You will walk aboard and you will behave like a decent individual while we are on this cruise, or there will be the most serious consequences you have ever met yet. Nobody wants you on this party, you understand, and the less conspicuous you make yourself, the better."
"Thank you so much for your charming invitation, my dear, doting parents. I accept with pleasure, and I think I can promise you that your little outing will be a complete success, so far as I am concerned."
She laughed lightly, and Mr. and Mrs. Bryce exchanged uneasy glances. Something in that laugh did not promise well for their holiday.
The motor boat from the _Empress_ was at the pier when the three Bryces made their appearance on the day of the departure. They were taken out to the yacht at once, where Mr. Abercrombie Brendon was already ensconced. He was a pompous, red-faced little man, with a great deal of stomach and a great deal of manner. He was in high good humour with the weather and the world in general. He greeted Isabelle by singing, a line from a light opera success of his younger days--