“Has the flood reached here?” asked the boy.
“Take a look out front and you’ll think so,” the man went on.
Larry looked from the windows. He saw that the street was inundated, the water being about four feet deep.
“How am I going to get out?” he asked in dismay.
“Swim,” said the clerk with a laugh, in spite of the gravity of the situation. “It’s not very cold. Or you might wait for the flood to go down.”
“I haven’t time for that,” said Larry, “and I don’t believe I could swim as far as I intend to go.”
“There are some fellows outside with boats, and they may take you where you want to go,” the clerk said.
“That’s a good idea,” said the boy. “I’ll try it.”
He went out on the front steps, through the corridor, which contained about an inch of water. As he reached the front door a rowboat, propelled by a big man, shot up.
“Boat?” asked the man, in the manner of one inquiring whether one would have a cab. “Take you anywhere for half a dollar.”