"No, sir, he is very lazy, and if he can live without work, he will."
"That is certainly unfortunate."
"It is worse than having no father at all," said Grit bluntly. "I don't care to have him remain in prison, if he will only keep away from us, but I should be glad if I could never set eyes upon him again."
"Well, my boy, you must bear the trial as well as you can. We all have our trials, and yours comes in the shape of a disagreeable stepfather——"
He did not finish the sentence, for there was a startling interruption.
Mr. Jackson and Grit had been so much engaged in their conversation that they had not watched the little boy. Willie had amused himself in bending over the side of the boat, and dipping his little fingers in the rippling water. With childish imprudence he leaned too far, and fell head first into the swift stream.
A splash told the startled father what had happened.
"Good Heaven!" he exclaimed, "my boy is overboard, and I cannot swim."