"But my mamma said it wasn't safe!"
"No, she didn't. She never saw this boat; she doesn't know whether it's safe or not."
"Doesn't it leak a single speck, Solly Rosenberg? It looks wet."
"Pshaw! That's where the waves come in; it's as tight as the bark to a tree."
Dotty was becoming very eager to go. It sometimes did seem, when she really wished to do any particular thing, that she wished it more than any one else.
"But, O dear! my mamma doesn't 'low me to sail."
This was spoken sorrowfully; but there was a little wavering in the tone. Dotty had taken the first false step; she had listened to the voice of temptation, and every persuasive word of Solly's left her weaker than it had found her.
"My mamma doesn't ever 'low me to sail."
"You couldn't sail in a wherry if you were to try," said Johnny. "Come, Sol, don't stop to bother: who wants girls? They just spoil the fun."
"For shame!" said the more polite Solomon, drawing himself up and looking very manly; "the girls shall go if they want to. Only just round the curve."