Madge Morton, Captain of the Merry Maid

Madge Morton is a head‑strong seventeen‑year‑old whose restless spirit can’t be tamed by strict school routines or boring summer plans. When her aunt and uncle announce a sudden move west, she discovers she’ll be left with a stern, wealthy cousin who never quite understood her lively nature. Frustrated by the prospect of a quiet, imposed vacation, Madge’s fiery temperament drives her to reject the expected path. Determined to seize the season for herself, she rallies her closest friends at school for a daring alternative.

With a burst of energy she bursts into the study hall, startling her classmates and announcing a bold new scheme. Together they commandeer a charming houseboat—dubbed the Merry Maid—to escape the stifling expectations of genteel society. The river becomes their playground, and Madge, ever the impetuous leader, declares herself captain. As the boat drifts toward adventure, the girls discover that freedom, friendship, and a splash of mischief can turn even the most ordinary summer into an unforgettable escapade.