"What are those pretty things?" asked Marmaduke.
"Floaters," the Toyman answered. "Watch and you will see what we do with them."
"Now you keep still, you Wienerwurst, or we will put you back in the kennel," called the Toyman to the little yellow dog, who felt very frisky and wanted to bark all the time.
By the feet of the Toyman was a tin can. He put in his hand and pulled out a worm. This was put on Jehosophat's hook, another on Marmaduke's, and another on Hepzebiah's.
Then the Toyman threw the three hooks in the water. The two boys held their poles tight but the Toyman had to help little Hepzebiah hold her pole, for her hands were too small.
"Now quiet, everybody!" said the Toyman once more and they all sat watching the red and blue, the yellow and blue, and the red and yellow floaters out on the water.
"When the floater goes under, you will know that a fish is biting at the worm on the hook."
The Toyman had no sooner said this than he called out loud:
"Watch 'er!"
The red and yellow floater was pulled way under the water. The string on Marmaduke's pole tightened and the pole bent.