Just as soon as she stepped ashore, Dora began to feel better, and she did not really need the hot soup which Mrs. Harper insisted she should drink. By the time they were home at the little shack, Dora could hardly believe that she had not enjoyed the trip.
“But would you like to go again in the launch?” asked Olive.
No, Dora would not go so far as to say that. She felt surprised and hurt, that the sea which looked so lovely, could make her feel so disagreeable.
When the fishermen came they brought with them five fish. Four were ordinary plain fish such as the children often saw at the market, but the fifth one, which Uncle Dan had caught, was much longer and broader and looked strange. Dora at once asked Uncle Dan its name.
“I think it is a walrus,” said Dan gravely.
Lucy looked respectfully at the fish but Dora looked at Uncle Dan. Though his face was quite unsmiling, there was a twinkle in his eyes.
“It must be a walrus,” he went on, “because I am a carpenter, you see.”
Lucy didn’t “see” at all, but Dora laughed in delight. Of course it must be a walrus. She remembered the poem perfectly.
“The Walrus and the Carpenter