“Oh don't!” said Polly, on her knees on the floor.
“I forgot—” began Percy, “and she cut 'em so quick—and—”
“And I've been waiting,” said Van, in a loud wrathful key, “and waiting—and waiting!”
“Never mind, Van,” said Jasper consolingly, getting off from the sofa and coming up to the table.
“They're done and done beautifully, aren't they?” he said, holding up one.
But this only proved fresh fuel for the fire of Van's indignation.
“And you shan't have 'em, so!” he cried, making a lunge at the one on the table, “for I made most of the boat, there!”
“Oh no, you didn't!” cried Percy in the greatest alarm, hanging on to the boat in his hand. “I cut—all the keel—and the bow—and—”
“Oh dear!” said Polly, in extreme dismay, looking at Jasper. “Come, I'll tell you what I'll do, boys.”
“What?” said Van, cooling off a little, and allowing Percy to edge into a corner with the beloved boat and one sail. “What will you, Polly?”