CHAPTER IX
THE FLOATING BRIDGE
Next morning the young Dorrances experienced for the first time the joy of going to market.
Their appointed household tasks were all done first, for Dorothy had insisted on that. Then she and Tessie had conferred as to what was needed, and she had made out a list.
Grandma Dorrance had decreed against a sailboat for the children alone; but they were at liberty to go in a rowboat.
So down the steps the four ran, and found Mr. Hickox waiting for them at the dock.
He had put a boat in the water for them. It was a round-bottomed boat, but wide and roomy; easy to row and provided with two pairs of shining oars.
"Can any of you row?" inquired Mr. Hickox, looking uncertainly at the children; "for I can't go along with you this morning. Mrs. Hickox, she wants me to work in the garden,—she says the weeds are higher 'n a kite."
"We can row," said Leicester; "but not so very well. We haven't had much experience, you know. But we're going to learn."
"I thought we'd each have a boat," said Fairy; "I want to learn to row. I want to be a 'sperinshed boat-lady."