“Oh, call ’em galley truck, that’s as good a name as any,” said the old captain. “Do you like this, Bet?”
“Like it, Uncle Amos! It’s the dearest little boat in the world. I don’t deserve it. You are so good to get it for me, and it was such a surprise.”
“Yes, I calculated it would be a surprise, all right. But I didn’t forget that you always wanted to be a sailor, and so when I got the chance, I made up my mind I’d get you something worth while before I got sent to Davy Jones’ locker.”
“Where is that?” asked Amy, innocently.
“Oh, he means before he got drowned, or something like that,” explained Betty. “Oh, Uncle Amos, you’re a dear!” and she kissed him, somewhat to his confusion.
“So I got a man to build this boat to suit my ideas,” went on the old seaman. “It’s equipped for salt water, if so be you should ever want to take a trip to sea.”
“Never!” cried Mollie.
“Well, you never can tell,” he said sagely. “After she was finished I had him ship her here, and then I got her into the water. I will say, that, for her size, she is a sweet little craft. And I hope you’ll like her, Bet.”
“Like her! Who could help it? Uncle you’re a——”
“No more kissing, Bet. I’m too old for that.”