Before we parted from these girls we saw two sturdy young men and a
woman putting off from the Berkshire shore, and then Dick bethought
him of a little banter of the girls, and asked them how it was that
there was nobody of the male kind to go with them across the water,
and where their boats were gone to. Said one, the youngest of the
party: "O, they have got the big punt to lead stone from up the
water."

"Who do you mean by 'they,' dear child?" said Dick.

Said an older girl, laughing: "You had better go and see them. Look
there," and she pointed northwest, "don't you see building going on
there?"

"Yes," said Dick, "and I am rather surprised at this time of the
year; why are they not haymaking with you?"

The girls all laughed at this, and before their laugh was over, the
Berkshire boat had run on to the grass and the girls stepped in
lightly, still sniggering, while the new comers gave us the sele of
the day. But before they were under way again, the tall girl said:

"Excuse us for laughing, dear neighbours, but we have had some
friendly bickering with the builders up yonder, and as we have no
time to tell you the story, you had better go and ask them: they
will be glad to see you--if you don't hinder their work."

They all laughed again at that, and waved us a pretty farewell as the