"All right, but first we'll fix some lines for crabs."

"What are crabs?"

"My, don't you know? Well, we'll catch some when we come back and then
you'll see."

He took some lines without hooks and tied raw beef on the ends of them.
Then he threw them into the water.

Beth, as proud as if she had caught a tarpon, took up her line with the
eel on it, and away marched the children to the house.

"Mamma, just see what I caught."

"Well, I declare," cried Mrs. Davenport at sight of the eel. "Did you
really catch that all by yourself, child?"

"Yes, mamma, except that Harvey had to help me pull it in, or else the
eel would have pulled me into the water. It tugged awfully hard, but I
wouldn't let go. Mamma, this is Harvey and we're just having heaps of
fun." She had forgotten, already, that a few minutes before she
thought she was having a very stupid time.

Harvey raised his cap. Mrs. Davenport liked the boy's appearance.

"Mamma, you keep the eel to show papa. Harvey and I are going back to
catch crabs. Come on, Harvey."