"I don't think I know any more," said the child, as she finished this verse.
"Well, you've done first-rate, deary; and mind, you must sing that song to me every night," he added.
For a little while they went on in silence, and nothing could be heard but the gentle lap, lap of the waves at the side of the boat, until Coomber said: "Come, sing to us again about that sailor's star. Bob, you try and pick it up as she sings," he added.
So the verses were sung through again, and without a break this time; and Tiny was able to recall the last verse, too, and sang—
"Star Divine, oh! safely guide him,
Bring the wanderer back to Thee;
Sore temptations long have tried him,
Far, far at sea."
"Bravo, little 'un," exclaimed Bob, who was completely charmed out of his sulky mood by the singing.
"I say, Bob," suddenly exclaimed Coomber, "is the bottle up there?"
"I ain't seen the bottle," sulkily responded the lad, his ill-humour returning at once.
"I—I took it up, and told 'em to fill it," exclaimed Coomber; and as he spoke he drew in his oars, and felt under the seat, and all round the boat. "I must ha' forgot it, thinking about the little 'un and her picture," he said, after searching round the boat in vain.
"It's too late to go back," said Bob; "it'll be dark soon."