cool as a cucumber, and across the river from the deserted
shipyards, where, upon lofty beamings, stood all sorts of
ships in all stages of composition, the frequent beeches and
maples showed pink and red and yellow against the evergreen
pines.

"It's easy 'nough," said Aladdin. And Margaret agreed in her
mind, for it is the splash of deeds rather than the skill or
power which impresses a lady. The little lady sat primly in
the stern, her mitted paws folded; her eyes, innocent and
immense, fastened admiringly upon the rowing boy.

"Only 'bout's far's the cat-boat, 'Laddin, please," she said.
"I oughtn't to of come 't all."

Somehow the cat-boat, anchored fifty yards out and straining
back from her moorings, would not allow herself to be
approached. For although Aladdin maintained a proper
direction (at times), the ocean tide, setting rigidly in and
overbearing the current of the river, was beginning to carry
the skiff to some haven where she would not be.

Aladdin saw this and tried to go back, catching many crabs in
the earnestness of his endeavor. Then the little girl,
without being told, perceived that matters were not entirely
in the hands of man, and began to look wistfully from Aladdin
to the shore. After a while he stopped grinning, and then
rowing.

"Can't you get back, 'Laddin?" said the little girl.