They brought the yacht to anchor in front of the boat-house, and went home to relate the adventures of their voyage.
CHAPTER VI.
Mr. Meredith.—"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."—A Botanical Lecture.—The Goat Moth.—Blowing up a Tree.—An astonished Cow.—Caterpillars in the Wood.
On the morrow, after morning service, the three boys (Dick having been invited to spend the day with Frank) were walking from church and talking upon the sermon which Mr. Meredith had just preached to them.
It was a beautiful morning—one of those days on which it is a treat to live. The sun shone from a sky which was brilliant in its blue and white, the waters of the lake sparkled diamond-like under the stirring influence of a warm westerly wind. The scent of the honeysuckle and the roses in the cottage gardens filled the air with pleasant incense, and from every tall tree-top a thrush or blackbird sang his merriest.
"That wasn't a bad motto which Meredith took for his text: 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,'" said Frank.
"I think it is a motto you endeavour to carry out, Frank," answered Jimmy.
"Well, I think if a fellow does that he can't be far wrong," replied Frank; "but here is the parson himself."
A tall, broad-shouldered man came quickly up and said to them: