o it don't matter."

"Yes, it does," said Bigley gravely, "because I shouldn't like to take
the boat without leave."

"Why, of course you wouldn't if your father was at home," said Bob
quickly; "but I'm quite sure Mr Uggleston wouldn't like us two to be
disappointed when we'd come on purpose to go."

"Oh, I don't think he'd mind," said Bigley.

"But I know he would," cried Bob, who spoke in the most consequential
manner. "Your father is rough, but he is very good at bottom."

"Why, of course he is," cried Bigley.

"Then he wouldn't like us to be cheated out of our treat, so you get the
mussels for the bait, and some worms, and let's go."

Bigley hesitated. He wanted to go, for the sea was as smooth as a
mill-pond--a rare thing in winter; and perhaps we should have to wait
for some time before another such day arrived.

He looked at me and I wanted to go too. That was plain enough, and the
chance seemed so tempting that, even if I did not openly abet Bob, I
said no word to persuade Bigley not.

"You'd got all the lines and bait ready, hadn't you?" said Bob
cunningly.

"Yes, everything's ready, and I meant to ask father as soon as I got
back. Here, hi! Mother Bonnet, how long will father be?"

"Oh, all depends on the wind," said the fresh-looking old lady coming
out, smiling and smoothing her hair. "They've gone across to Swansea,
my dear. It will be a long time 'fore they're back."

"There, you see, you can't ask, and it's no use to signal to them in the
lugger, because they couldn't understand, so you've got to take the
boat, and we shall be back long before they are."

"But it would be so horrible if we were to meet with any accident this
time," said Bigley. "You know how unlucky we were over the prawns.
There, we'd better not go!"

"There's a Molly for you!" cried Bob. "Just because we got in a muddle
twice over in catching prawns and crabs you think we're always going to
be in a mess."

"No, I don't," said Bigley; "but it would be so queer if we got into a
scrape the very first time we go out."

"Get out! Oh, I say, you do make me grin, old Big. There, go and get
your lines, and a gaff, and the basket of bait. Let's be off while the
sea is so smooth."

Bigley hesitated, and after a good deal of banter from Bob, and an
appeal to me, he went off, sorry and yet pleased, to get the lines and
bait.

"And now he'll be obliged to go, Sep. Don't let's give him time to
think, or he's such