"But I'm afraid we'll never be able to keep watch here for hours, Tom. Already I'm beginning to shiver like everything, on account of that chilly wind coming down the Hudson River. And besides, it's about time dinner was announced; for we were told we'd get that meal aboard."
Just as they were about to turn away and seek the warm saloon Jack pointed to a large and handsome motor car that had managed to force its way through the tangle of vehicles and rolling trucks, and from which some people, evidently intending passengers, were alighting.
"As pretty a young girl as ever you set eyes on, Tom," he hastened to say. for Jack was much fonder of girls' society than his chum had ever shown himself to be. "I hope we shall get to know her before the voyage is over. Just take a peep and tell me if she hasn't got other girls beaten a mile for good looks."
To please his chum Tom did glance that way. He saw a diminutive girl who could hardly have been more than twelve years of age, and scarcely looked even that; but she was remarkably attractive, so far as rosy cheeks, dancing eyes, and a wealth of golden hair went. In spite of her apparent lack of years, there was a grown-up air about her that some girl babies seem born with and that makes friends for them among older people from the start.
