noon
The girls looked like a small detachment of feminine naval cadets in their nautical uniforms . Each one of them wore a dark blue serge skirt of ankle length and a middy blouse with a blue sailor collar . They were without hats , as they hoped to get a coating of seashore tan without wasting any time . `` I shall expect you home by noon , '' were Miss Jenny Ann 's final words as the `` Water Witch '' danced away from the houseboat . `` Aye , aye , Skipper ! '' the girls called back in chorus . `` Shall we bring back lobsters or clams for luncheon , if we can find them ? '' ''