"Follow on, follow on," sang Elise derisively. Upstream Cham's canoe had drawn up to the bank under a fringe of trees grey in the noon glare. Behind it a figure in white and a figure in pink, close together, were disappearing into the shadow.
"They'll have every single thing eaten up," wailed Elise.
"I'm afraid I'm not a very good paddler," said Fanshaw through clenched teeth.
"There you go again."
"Well, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."
"You'll have to get me a new dress, that's all."
The canoe ran into the bank with a sliding thump.
Phoebe was looking at them from behind a clump of maples. She cooed at them in her most dollish voice.
"What have you kids been doing all by yourselves out in the river?"
"We saw you, don't you worry dearest," said Elise balancing to step out of the canoe. "O murder, I got my foot in it!"