"'In mud eel is,'" quoted Horace. "Reckon I'll buy one, auntie, and carry it home in a piece of brown paper. I believe Dotty is fond of eels."
"Fond of eels! Why, Horace Clifford, you know I can't bear 'em, any more'n a snake. If you do such a thing, Horace Clifford!"
Here Prudy gave her talkative sister a pinch; for they were surrounded by people, and Aunt Madge was giving ferry-tickets to a man who stood in a stall, and brushed them towards him into a drawer.
"Does he stay in it all night?" whispered Fly; "he can't lie down, no more'n a hossy can."
"Here, child, don't try to get down out of my arms. I must carry you into the boat. Do you suppose I'd trust those wee, wee feet to go flying over East River?"
"For don't we know she has wings on her heels?" said Aunt Madge.
Fly twisted around one of her little rubbers, and looked at it. She understood the joke, but thought it too silly to laugh at. East River lay smiling in the sun, white with sails.
"Almost as pretty as our Casco Bay," said Dotty. "'Winona;' is that the boat we are going in? But, Horace, you must cross to the other side, where it says 'Gentlemen's Cabin.'"
"How kind you are to take care of me! Wish you'd take as good care of yourself, Cousin Dimple."
And Horace walked straight into the "Ladies' Cabin." There were more men in it, though, than women; so he had the best side of the argument.