Boo Boo shielded the right side of her face from the glare of the sun. “You told me you were all through running away,” she said. “We talked about it, and you told me you were all through. You promised me.”
Lionel gave a reply, but it didn’t carry. “What?” said Boo Boo.
“I didn’t promise.”
“Ah, yes, you did. You most certainly did.”
Lionel resumed steering his boat. “If you’re an admiral,” he said, “where’s your fleet?”
“My fleet. I’m glad you asked me that,” Boo Boo said, and started to lower herself into the dinghy.
“Get off!” Lionel ordered, but without giving over to shrillness, and keeping his eyes down. “Nobody can come in.”
“They can’t?” Boo Boo’s foot was already touching the bow of the boat. She obediently drew it back up to pier level. “Nobody at all?” She got back into her Indian squat. “Why not?”
Lionel’s answer was complete, but, again, not loud enough.
“What?” said Boo Boo.