No, you let me do; we'll just slip out an' see
mother by ourselves. I guess what breakfast you'll want's about
ready now."
I had become well acquainted with Mrs. Todd as landlady, herb-
gatherer, and rustic philosopher; we had been discreet fellow-
passengers once or twice when I had sailed up the coast to a larger
town than Dunnet Landing to do some shopping; but I was yet to
become acquainted with her as a mariner. An hour later we pushed
off from the landing in the desired dory. The tide was just on the
turn, beginning to fall, and several friends and acquaintances
stood along the side of the dilapidated wharf and cheered us by
their words and evident interest. Johnny Bowden and I were both
rowing in haste to get out where we could catch the breeze and put
up the small sail which lay clumsily furled along the gunwale.
Mrs. Todd sat aft, a stern and unbending lawgiver.
"You better let her drift; we'll get there 'bout as quick; the
tide'll take her right out from under these old buildin's; there's
plenty wind outside.
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