“Yes, if your father lets you go out in one,” was the answer.
“Will you, Daddy?”
“Will I what?” inquired Mr. Martin, for he had not heard what Teddy said, as, just then, a rooster ran across the road in front of the automobile and Mr. Martin did not want to run over the crowing chap.
“Will you let Uncle Ben take me out and show me how to sail a boat?” asked Teddy.
“Oh, yes, I think so—if you’ll be careful,” was the reply.
“Oh, I’ll be careful,” promised Uncle Ben. “I used to be a sailor and I once worked at a dock where rowboats and sailboats were rented out,” he went on, “and lots of times I’d take out parties of children. I had to be very careful of them.”
That was one thing that Mr. and Mrs. Martin liked Uncle Ben for—he was so kind and careful about children. They felt that they could trust the Curlytops and Trouble with him at any time, even though they had not known him very long.
“Oh, I know I’ll just love it at Silver Lake!” exclaimed Jan, when she had heard Ted talking about the boat rides he was to have.
“We’ll have plenty of fun!” decided the little boy. “I wish we’d hurry up and get there!”
“So do I!” echoed his sister.