“Why, girls,” said Mrs. Rhines, “the blueberries are not very thick.”
“Yes, they are,” said Hannah Murch; “the ground is blue with them.”
“Then I guess they didn’t find the right place, for they have hardly covered the bottoms of their pails.”
Mrs. Rhines made not the least objection to the girls going, provided the boys would promise to carry but one sail.
“We shan’t want to carry the mainsail, Mrs. Rhines,” said Charlie; “for the boom will be right in the way, and she works well under a foresail.”
They had a splendid time, a pleasant day; found the fishing ground by the marks, and girls and boys caught haddock and cod, but no cusk; found plenty of berries; and while the girls were making the chowder, the boys got a coon for Uncle Isaac, and shot some coots; they didn’t have to row home. Tige contributed his full share to the interest of the occasion, for he dug out and killed the coon, brought ashore the birds that were shot, appeared exceedingly happy, and moreover could tell no tales out of school.
“Have you had a good time, Charlie?” asked his mother, at his return.
“A glorious time, mother; never had such a good time in my life.”
“Is Uncle Isaac well?”