"No-o; I can't say as how I do," replied Jones slowly, rubbing his head and knitting his brows as though deeply pondering the knotty point.
"Well, now, we must hasten on," said Alfy. "Where are those things for the house? Are they far?"
"They are in the cart in the lane."
"How can they be brought here?" asked Alfy. "Shall I help? Can't you bring the pony and cart through that gate? Let us be quick!"
"I think as how you and I must carry them here in lots," drawled slow-witted Jones. "I don't think pony and cart could come."
"Well, be sharp then!" urged Alfy, springing from the boat.
"Why, I do believe Mansy can see us from the house." And he shouted, and waved his handkerchief.
"Now, come on," cried he, "and show me where the things are."
The transferring of the goods from Mr. Daw's cart took some time, and made the youths very tired, for it was some little distance off. But Alfy was determined to start for the house as quickly as possible, and continued to urge on the slow-coach Jones; so that the task was accomplished more speedily than he had thought would be the case.
But then a new difficulty presented itself. Alfy wished to tie the tub and bath to the boat and take them back to the house, but he found that if he did so, wearied as he was, he could not row the laden boat against the flood. So he was finally obliged to take Jones with him. Even then the task was difficult, for Jones was not an expert oarsman.