rald, interrogatively.

"Oh, Gerald! it is almost too perfect! no, you needn't stop, I only said
_almost_. The water feels like silk flowing by me: no, silk is rough
beside it; it feels like--like--"

"Like water, possibly?" said Gerald; "stranger things have been."

"Well, there isn't anything else like it, is there? Oh! are you sure you
will not take cold or anything, Gerald? I could go on forever, floating
here--trolling, I mean."

"Nothing easier," said Gerald, pulling on with long, steady strokes. "We
will just keep on; I ask nothing better. Years passed. A form was seen,
gray and bent with age, feebly tugging at a pair of oars. Trailing
behind the crazy boat, another figure might be distinguished--I forbear
further description, Margaret: I may grow old, but not you; please stay
as you are always. Anyhow, the people will flock to the shore. Ha! the
Muse! the afflatus descends.

"The people thronged the rocky shore,
And viewed that graybeard old and hoar;
'Oh! why thus dodderest at the oar,
Unhappy soul?'
The answer came: 'Forever more
She wished to troll!'"

"Gerald, I think we'd better go back now."

"Wait! she hasn't finished. Never interrupt a Muse! it isn't the thing
to do.

"And still along that rocky coast,
A gibbering yet a gallant ghost,
He dodders, dodders at his post,
Nor nears the goal;
For she, the spook he cares for most,
Still loves to troll."

"Gerald, take me back, please! see, we are ever so far from shore, and
it is time for me to go in, I am sure."

"Just look down, Margaret! see the bottom, all white sand; isn't that
pleasant? Hi! there's a bream watching his nest. See him fanning about
over it, never leaving the place. He'll keep that up for hours at a
time. Domestic party, the bream! this is an excellent opportunity to
study the habits of--"

"Gerald, I am cold!"

"We'll be there in two minutes!" said Gerald, settling to his oars.
"Hold tight, now, Margaret! troll as the wolves of Apennine were all
upon your track!" and with long, powerful strokes he sent the boat
flying through the water, while Margaret fairly shrieked with delight
and excitement.

Her face had been turned away from the float; but now she was speeding
toward it, and looked eagerly to see what the others of the party were
doing. To her great amazement, no one was in sight. The wharf lay wet