“Well, the ropes will stretch, after they’ve been used a bit, so it’s just as well to have them tight now. You get quicker action when you turn the wheel, though the river will not be crowded after we get up a way.”
Bess, Belle and Hazel busied themselves setting to rights their various possessions in the little cabin, and then they sat out in the wicker chairs in the after part of the craft, where Jack and Walter were. Paul seemed to find entertainment up in the bow with Cora.
“Where are the eats?” demanded Walter, when they had been under way for perhaps a half hour. “Didn’t I see you smuggling something on board, Bess?”
“Eats? Now?” cried Jack. “And if you saw Bess have anything it was a box of chocolates.”
“It was not, Jack Kimball!” retorted the pretty, plump twin. “I’ve given up chocolates.”
“For how long?” he teased.
“For ever. I’m eating lime drops and lemon drops now. Have some?”
“I knew I saw you have something,” declared Walter. “Why, they’re chocolates after all!” he went on, as he helped himself to what Bess offered.
“I know they are, but the chocolate coating is very thin,” she said. “They’re sour inside.”
“Sort of Christian Science treatment,” remarked Jack. “Bess couldn’t altogether give up her chocolate, so she takes it in homeopathic doses. Whew! they are sour!” he cried, as he bit into one of the candies, making a wry face.