"And see how fat that bird is! He must eat four or five meals every day!" exclaimed Samuel; then hastening to turn the conversation to topics less vital, he asked genially,—
"What things do you like best in the world?"
"Let me see," mused Charles; "yes, I know very well. I like money, vegetables, and my sister Mary. What do you?"
"Homes, churches, trees, and old people's faces," returned Samuel promptly. "What shall we do now,—go back into town?"
"Not yet, for if we do, we must keep on walking for four or five hours."
"Let's go swimming again, then."
"I'm with you," and a minute later they descended into the river for the second time.
Both were almost as much at home in water as on land, and they swam about, teaching one another aquatic tricks until they became quite breathless. Making for the shore, they climbed weakly up the bank, and only partially robing, dropped side by side upon the sward.
Overcome by fatigue, Charles fell asleep, while Samuel lay panting and composing verses about the Seven Champions of Christendom.