“Oh not yet!” pleaded Mildred. “He is so angry!”
“That is the very thing,” said Oliver. “I want to show him that I tripped him over, not in anger, but because I could not help it. He will never believe but that it was malice, from beginning to end, if I do not go for him directly.”
“But he will thrash you. You know he can. He is ever so much stronger than you; and he is in such a passion, I do not know what he may not do.”
“What can I do?” said Oliver. “I can’t leave him there, standing dripping wet, with the cow and the pony.”
“Would it be of any use if I were to go with you, and say it was all my fault?” asked Mildred, trembling.
“No, no; you must not go.”
“I would go, if there was no water between, and if Mildred would take care of the baby,” said Ailwin.
“Oh do,—do go! You are so strong!” said both the children.
“Why, you see, I can’t abide going on the water, any way, and never could: and most of all without so much as a boat.”
“But I will row you as carefully,” said Oliver, “as safely as in any boat. You see how often we have crossed, and how easy it is. You cannot think what care I will take of you, if you will go.”