prowess at this and that, and she went because of the fine
defiance of it, and because Aladdin exercised an irresistible
fascination. He it was who could whistle the most engagingly
through his front teeth; and he it was, when sad dogs of boys
of the world were met behind the barn, who could blow the
smoke of the fragrant grapevine through his nose, and swallow
the same without alarm to himself or to his admirers. To be
with him was in itself a soulful wickedness, a delicious and
elevating lesson in corruption. But to be with him when he
had done wrong, and was sorry for it (as always when found
out), that was enough to give one visions of freckled angels,
and the sweetness of Paradise in May.

Aladdin brought the skiff into the float, stern first, with a
bump. Pride sat high upon his freckled brow, and he whistled
piercing notes.

"I can do it," he said. "Now get in."

Margaret embarked very gingerly and smoothed her dress
carefully, before and after sitting down. It was a white and
starchy dress of price, with little blue ribbons at the throat
and wrists--such a dress as the little girl of a very poor
papa will find laid out on the gilt and brocade chair beside
her bed if she goes to sleep and wakes up in heaven.

"Only a little way, 'Laddin, please."

The boy made half a dozen circular, jabbing strokes, and the
skiff zigzagged out from the float. It was a fine blue day,