For a wonder, Gustus did hurry and was back in no time with the tar. Maggie dressed the wound with it very gently and Beth began to feel easier immediately.
"Now, honey, it'll be all right. If yo'd only known, and jes' held yo'r finger with dat crab out over the watah, it 'd have seen its shadah and gone aftah it."
"Here, Beth," Harvey now said, "you can have all of the crabs; I guess I'd better go."
"Please don't go, Harvey; I want you to stay. Say, Harvey, are crabs good to eat?"
"Of course, they are. You just put them in water and boil them and they are dandy."
"Oh, how I wish we could boil them. Wouldn't papa be surprised? Maggie, can't we boil them?" and Beth seized the cook's hand and held it, pressing it coaxingly.
"Law, honey, dar ain't no room on de stove. I's gettin' de dinnah."
"Please, Maggie, make room," continued Beth, already having learned her power of persuasion over her new mammy.
"I can't, honey, but I'll tell yo' what. Yo' an' Harvey kin do it if he knows how to boil dem."
"Of course, I know how."