Bill hesitated a moment; the fear of ridicule was too powerful. He seized the glass, and pouring its contents hastily down his throat, left the store amidst the uproarious laughter of his companions.
Jim and Ned had collected a much larger quantity of vegetables for their second trip, and to the baskets of strawberries which they designed as gifts, added a beautiful nosegay of the earlier flowers.
'Strawberries and flowers,' said Sam, as he was pushing the boat from the shore; 'your things look tempting indeed; I guess old Peter will hop round when he sees these.'
'I have brought that small basket on purpose for him; and the flowers I thought the ladies might be pleased with—I don't think they see many where they are.'
'It almost makes me feel bad, Jim, to think that I have nothing to carry worth looking at.'
'Why, it is all one concern, you know, Sam; and I mean to have you hand them the flowers.'
'I shan't do it, Jim—I should make a pretty figure, with my old patched clothes and bare feet, handing flowers to ladies and gentlemen!'
'Sam Oakum, if you talk so, you'll make me feel bad; who cares for your clothes?'
'You don't Jim, I know; but all don't feel as you and Ned do—Keep her head to the point, Jim, straight as you can.'
Sam had much more rowing to do than on the former trip, the wind not coming quite so soon to their aid.