"We'd much rather take our share of the work."
"Well, perhaps we'll let you have a turn by and by, if you're so particularly anxious."
Pritchard by this time had run the boat down the bank and rowed her round to a small jetty, from which it was easy to board her.
"There's a nice place for you misses here, in the stern," he said. "Be careful! It's wet in the bottom. There's a tin can under the seat, if you want to bale her out."
It was most delightful on the river. In spite of her clumsy build, the Maid of Llangollen seemed to glide along in the easiest manner. Mabel and Aldred leaned back luxuriously in the stern of the boat, trailing their hands in the water, and watching the regular dip of the oars. The party were all in the best of spirits, and began to exchange jokes and sing songs.
"Yo di diddle diddle dee,
Five jolly sea-dogs are we.
We've to heave the anchor, and our friends all hanker
To join our companee!"
chanted Francis.
"Is that original?" asked Mabel.
"Of course it is! Don't you know my remarkable style by this time? I'm the coming poet!"
"A modest one, at any rate!" laughed Aldred.