"I think it is cruel!" she exclaimed, as Jo took a fish off Cyn's hook.
"I—I quite agree with you!" Quimby replied quickly, in answer to
Nattie's observation. "It is cruel!"
"But perhaps the fish were made for people to catch," suggested the pacific Mrs. Simonson, who had not yet been able to get a bite.
"Yes," acquiesced Clem, pulling up a skinny little fish. "They are no worse off than we poor mortals after all. We must each fulfill our destiny, whether man or fish."
"Yes! it is all fate!" exclaimed Quimby vehemently. "We cannot help ourselves!"
"You believe in fate then? I don't think I do!" said Cyn, with a glance half-humorous, half-pitying, at its victim on the log; "what incentive would we have to any effort, if we were sure everything was marked out for us in advance?"
"That is a question requiring too much effort for us to discuss on a warm day," said Nattie.
"Certain circumstances must bring about certain results, you will acknowledge," Clem gravely remarked.
"But, it is said that every soul that is born has a twin somewhere; and if so, that must be fate!" said Mrs. Simonson.
"Miss Kling's theory, I believe!" laughed Nattie.