"So?" jumped Solvei.
Both women turned simultaneously toward the clock.
"It will take you half an hour to make the mainland and that train!" cried Mrs. Tome Gallien. "And for goodness sake, brush your hair! And change those old sea-faring clothes."
"I will not brush the hair," tossed Solvei's bright wind- blown head. "Always it is my preference to wear it thus hither-and-hang! Nor will I part ever from my friend this old blue jersey! And even so—if the sun does 151not fade between the here and the mainland I may yet achieve three new freckles on my nose!"
"Don't argue!" fumed Mrs. Tome Gallien. "Just hurry!"
"It is only when one hurries that one has time to argue," persisted the girl.
"Oh, stop your nonsense!" ordered Mrs. Tome Gallien.
"Whose nonsense will then be left to us?" flared Solvei. "But do not thus make all this extra worrisome," she admonished with sudden gentleness. "Time is always more fat than you think! But for two such fancy fine packages as I go now to fetch," she flared again ever so slightly, "there will not be room also in the boat for the face of the wrangle boat man nor yet for the legs of the boy. It is alone I insist that I should go!"
"For mercy's sake!" fretted Mrs. Tome Gallien. "I don't care how you go, if you'll only go!"
Without further parleying, Solvei started for the stairs. In another minute with a few jumps and slides she had reached the front door. Once outside, it took but a fraction 152more of time to settle the wrangle boat man and boy.