"But the fever," says I, "I know it is in the harbor, for the newspapers said so. They have run up the yellow flag wherever it is to be found. See there."
Cousin E. E. sat down and dropped both hands in her lap.
"Cousin Phœmie," says she, "I really don't know whether you are a real genius or the greatest goose that ever lived. You are just a puzzle to me. Who ever heard of yellow-fever in the water?"
"I have," says I, "in the harbor, and isn't the harbor all water?"
"Yes," says she, "that is true."
"Then, isn't it dangerous to bathe in that water, and don't that flag give us warning not to do it?"
"Cousin," says she; "as I said before, you know too much for common ideas to make an impression. Now do try to understand. There is one ship in the harbor that has yellow-fever on board—that is all. It will not be allowed to spread from that one ship."
"Oh," says I, drawing a deep breath, "then it has not poisoned the water."
"Not at all."
"But the yellow flag?"