"I say with Captain Corcoran," Gerald observed, pausing in the critical
adjustment of a sail:

"'Though I'm anything but clever,
I could talk like that forever.'

As thus!

"When she makes the tea,
Brews it from a caddy,
Who so blithe as she,
Peg of Limavaddy?

"See her o'er the stove,
Broiling of a haddie;
Thus she won my love,
Peg of Limavaddy.

"But building of a boat,
Her success is shady;
Bet you she won't float,
Peg of Limavaddy!"

"Wait till to-morrow," cried Peggy, laughing, "and you'll see whether
she floats or not. And anyhow, she is my first boat. Isn't there a
special class for beginners, Mr. Merryweather?"

"No, no! no fear or favor shown; the rigor of the game, little Peggy.
Margaret, have you given up?"

"Oh, yes, please, Mr. Merryweather!" said Margaret, looking up from her
knitting with a smile. "I could not; it simply was not possible. Gerald
was positive at first that he could teach me, but after one lesson he
was equally positive that he could not. I needed no conviction, because
I knew I could not."

"Nobody can do absolutely everything," said Gerald, "except the
Codger,--I allude to my revered uncle, Margaret,--and I have at times
desired to drown him for that qualification. You shall be the starter,
Margaret; you'll do that to perfection."

"What are the duties of a starter?" asked Margaret; "I shall be very
glad to do anything I really can."

"To sit still and look pretty!" said Gerald, demurely. "I _think_ you
can manage it."

"Have I the full list?" asked Mrs. Merryweather. "I'll read it aloud.

"The _Principal Whale_,--Papa."

"I wish you would not call my father names!" murmured Gerald.

"Jerry, do be still!

"The _Tintinnabula_, Bell.

"The _Jollycumpop_, Gertrude.

"The _Come-at-a-Body_, Gerald.

"The _Molasses Cooky_, Phil.

"The _Polly Cologne_, Kitty.

"The _Whopper_, Willy."

"Is that all?"

"All but Peggy's," said Gertrude. "Peggy, you must decide on the name of
your boat."

"Oh! Gertrude, that is the hardest part of all. Margaret, you must name
her for me."

"Why not _Semiramis_, after the happy mother of the puppies?" suggested
Margaret.

"The whole puppies!" echoed Gerald. "Don't half name them, Margaret!"

"Why isn't that the name for the boat?" cried Phil.

"It is! it is!" cried all the rest. "The _Wh