“We’ll go to church, but you needn’t come for us,” said Ben, quickly.
“Ye can’t go then, for I thought I’d take yer canoes back with me. I don’t want to leave ye in any more danger.”
“No, no. You’re not going to take the canoes,” protested Ben. “We’re going to master them, now. I’ll never give up in the world.”
Ethan hesitated, and then under protest finally yielded. He explained that they could attend service at the Corners, at Alexandria Bay, or the “Park,” as they preferred.
“We’ll go to the Bay,” said Ben, quickly, so quickly that the boys all laughed, thinking that they understood his motive.
“’Twill be better for ye to go there,” said Ethan, soberly; but he had no idea of the trouble which his suggestion brought on the young campers on the following day.