"So we're going out in the boat, like real sailors. That's what Sammie
Brown's father did," went on Laddie. "Then we'll find gold."

"But you mustn't get into the boat, Laddie, unless Daddy or Cousin Tom
is with you!" said Mother Bunker. "Do as Rose tells you, and come away."

Laddie did not want to, but he always minded his mother, except when he
was very bad, and this was not one of those times. So he went slowly
away from the boat, which was tied to a little pier.

"I was going after gold," he said. "We can't find any here," and he
pointed to the holes he and his little sister had dug.

"But if you went out in the boat alone, or with Vi, you might fall into
the water," said his mother. "Never get into the boat unless some big
person is with you, Laddie. And I mean you, too, Vi."

"All right," said the two children. "We won't."

"Come on!" called Rose to them, now that the dispute was over. "We will
go farther down the shore and dig. And if we don't find any gold maybe
we'll find some pretty shells, or a starfish."

"Does a starfish twinkle, Mother?" asked Vi.

"No, I don't believe it does, my dear."

"Then what makes 'em call it a starfish?" the little girl wanted to
know.