"Perhaps so," said Polly, "and at any rate, he can eat it himself. And
he looks hungry enough."

"I'd rather he had some little girls, Polly," said Phronsie,
thoughtfully, "and have him give them each a piece."

"Well, maybe he has some; we'll think so, anyway," Polly answered. "Oh,
see, Jasper is calling us."

To be sure, there he was on the other side of the boat nearest Marken,
with a big group of passengers, intently watching the Marken children
running along in their clacking sabots, on the high bank, and holding
out their arms, singing something all the while in a shrill, high key.

"They want some stuivers," cried Jasper. "Come, Polly and Phronsie, let
us toss them some."

Whiz--spin--went the coins, to fall into the thick stubby grass on the
bank. The children, stopping their song in mid-air, scrambled and
sprawled all over each other in their efforts to secure the coveted
money. So Jasper and Polly threw the bits next time in the other
direction. Then there was a shout and a rush, and the same thing was
repeated till only a tangle of arms and legs could be seen. But some
one of them always got the money.

"Dear me! they've eyes just like birds!" exclaimed Parson Henderson;
"to think of finding anything in that thick grass."

"Let them alone for that," laughed old Mr. King; "their wits are