Seagrave, overpowered by her feelings,
sank her head upon William's shoulder, and burst into tears.
"It was touch and go, William," observed Ready, as they walked up to
the house, preceded by Mr. and Mrs. Seagrave. "How much mischief may be
created by a thoughtless boy! However, one can't put old heads on young
shoulders, and so Tommy must be forgiven."
"He has been punished enough, as far as fright goes," replied William;
"I'll answer for it, he'll never get into the boat again by himself."
"No, I think not. But now, William, you saw how nearly I was swamped in
the boat; indeed, it was only by his mercy that I was preserved; but
taking the question merely as far as our endeavours could help us, do
you think that if you had gained the boat instead of me, you would have
brought her to the beach as I did?"
"No, Ready; I never could have managed her so skilfully as you did, and
therefore I must have been swamped before I got on shore."
"Well, William, as I am an old sailor and you are not, therefore it is
not vanity which makes me say that you could not have managed the boat
so well as I did. Now, as I had not three or four seconds to spare,
you, as you say, must have been swamped.
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