“Neddie! How often have I told you not to address anybody with ‘say’?” interrupted his mother, severely.
“Oh!” admitted Ned, guilt in his tones. Rallying from the setback he resumed:
“I only wanted to ask if I couldn’t go over on Eagle Island to-morrow with Hal, in our boat. It’s all under water, and every one has moved off.”
“I have no special objection,” answered his father, “if you’ll promise to be careful.”
“Neddie, do be careful,” implored his mother. “You surely will, won’t you?”
“Of course,” assured Ned. “But, pshaw, there isn’t any danger. You couldn’t tip over the boat if you tried!”
“However, I wouldn’t try, if I were you,” remarked his father. Then he added, teasingly:
“We’ll let him have this Saturday for his fun, Helen, and next Saturday he’ll have some wood to pile! I’ve ordered eleven loads, and it will be hauled during the week.”
“Oh, father! Eleven loads!” exclaimed Ned, in dismay.