"Bodger, my blessed child, was a stodger, and a codger, and a very artful dodger; he carried his bones to David Jones, and asked to be took as a lodger."
"Do be quiet, Jerry!" said Bell. "Father, can the canoe stand such a gale as this?"
"And Hilda had on her BEST DRESS!" said Kitty, with tragic emphasis.
"Ho! Hilda doesn't care for dresses!" said Willy, scornfully. "I got wheel-grease all over her skirt, the other day, and she didn't say a word."
"I do feel anxious, Miles," said Mrs. Merryweather. "This is an awful gale."
"Pooh! pooh!" said her husband. "Roger knows how to take care of himself, and Hilda too. Boys, is the skiff well moored?"
The boys knew it was, but thought it would be well to see, and disappeared by handsprings into the darkness. A double splash, followed by joyous shouts, announced their arrival on and departure from the wharf; and they shortly reappeared, dripping and gleeful.
"Boys, how can you!" exclaimed their mother. "This is the fifth time you have been in to-day; besides, I have just tidied up this room. Go away with you, and drip in the tent."
"He pushed me off, and I pulled him in!" said Phil, in explanation. "Very sorry, shall not occur again."
"I wanted to see how deep the water was," said Gerald. "Very important, you know, to take soundings in a storm."