“Oh dear, oh dear!” said Wooden’s mother in a vexed voice, “Really, Polly does carry on something awful.”
But Mr. Noah only laughed and said, “I like a little fun sometimes.”
Then he led the way to the platform in the front of the ark, and Mrs. Noah walked by Peggy and said to her, “I like your face very much. I am sure we shall be friends.”
The captain of the wooden soldiers now gave some words of command, and all his troops fell into their places ready to march alongside the ark. Mr. Noah blew a whistle, and his sons made themselves very busy unfastening ropes, pushing the ark out into the river, and getting ready to start the animals. Mr. Noah blew his whistle again when the ark was clear of the shore, and with a great deal of shouting and cheering, the procession of animals started off, and pulled the ark at a good pace up the river.
It was a very pleasant journey. The air was warm and the sky was blue. All the different animals that were pulling the ark were very interesting to look at, and the birds that flew in couples overhead were very pretty, too, and sang most melodiously.
They had not travelled very far before a smart servant doll in cap and apron came out of the house in the ark, and said, “Would you like to take a little light refreshment?”
Wooden’s aunt instantly jumped up from her chair and said, “I’m always ready for my grub.” Then she pushed in front of all the others and rushed into the house in the most vulgar and objectionable manner. And again, I am sorry to say, Teddy followed her.
Wooden blushed with annoyance at the behaviour of her relative, and Wooden’s mother said in an angry voice, “It is really too much. But please don’t think because she is my daughter’s aunt that she is my sister. Quite the reverse. I wouldn’t own her. My poor brother married much beneath him. He was a wooden Scotchman of irreproachable character, outside a tobacconist’s shop, and a perfect gentleman in every way.”
Peggy smoothed the wounded feelings of Wooden and her mother, and said it didn’t matter. “I think I had better say a word to Teddy,” she said. “He is not behaving nicely.”