Away ran Harvey and Beth to the boat. The river was as smooth as glass. Beth, at first, sat in the back seat, and Harvey rowed.
"I guess we'll go directly across the river. I wish it wasn't so far to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's," said Harvey.
"Who is she?"
"Don't you know? I thought everybody knew about her. She wrote 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'"
"Oh, I saw that acted at the theatre once. Does she live here?"
"She has a place up the river aways, but it is deserted now. She used to come down here quite often. We'll row straight across the river. Did you ever row, Beth?"
"No, but you can teach me, can't you?"
"All right. Now move very carefully. I wouldn't have you fall overboard for the world."
Harvey suspended the oars in the air while Beth took the seat beside him. Then he showed her how to hold the oar.
"Now begin so—carefully and with me."