Mr. Watts enthusiastically agreed. And acquaintanceship established on this firm foundation, he turned his attention once more to food.
"Don't you like oysters?"
"Yes, but they look so horrid! Ugh!" Arethusa shivered. "Generally, I love 'em, but these are raw! I never ate any raw ones before!"
"Go ahead and try them," he urged in all friendliness. "If you like them at all, you'll like them this way, too, I'll bet."
But she still hung back, "I don't know how."
"It's perfectly easy. Just like this." He speared one and lifted it to show her.
Arethusa watched the operation, fascinated at his skill, but she shook her head with decision when he suggested that she do likewise.
"I couldn't possibly. I believe I'd drop it. That little pitchfork thing doesn't look near big enough to hold such an enormous oyster."
"Oh, you won't drop any," he encouraged; "nobody ever has that I have heard of. Go on and try."
"No," she shook her head again, "no, I don't believe I will. I think I'd much rather practice at home first."