The Wallypug of Why

by G. E. Farrow

“Where do you want to go to, Mum?” asked the Ancient Mariner.

“Home,” panted the Bathing-machine Woman, pointing to a bathing-machine a long way out.

“‘HI! HI! STOP, SHIP AHOY, THERE!’”

“That will be sixpence,” said the Ancient Mariner. “Babies in arms not charged for.”

“I’ve only got fourpence halfpenny,” said the Bathing-machine Woman.

“Well, I can’t take you for that, you know,” said the Ancient Mariner.

“Oh, I’ll pay the difference,” said the Wallypug kindly, taking the last of his little store of coppers out of his handkerchief.

The Bathing-machine Woman thanked him, and the Ancient Mariner, after pocketing the money, cracked his whip again and off they started into the water.

For some time the water only came half-way up the wheels; but, after a time, when they got a little distance from the shore, the cart began to float and the horse to swim, and they rose up and down on the waves.