human
We will take some over to camp and pin them on a board,
gpt
Pin them down? You wouldn’t stick pins into them, Mr. Lane!
human
In the cause of science. Besides, they have no brains, and consequently no feelings to hurt.
gpt
They may not have brains; but if they have no feeling, why do they twist up when you bother them?
human
I’ve seen ’em growing a new finger when one’s been pulled off,
gpt
Yes; they can readily supply any such loss.
human
Wasn’t I right in saying it was a pretty puddle?
gpt
Yes, indeed; but it deserves a better name. Let’s call it Anemone Pool.
human
That’s it. That sounds first-rate, answered the boys.
gpt
Anemone Pool it is.
human
Hold on! I forgot to tell you something.
gpt
Those men from the wreck said they spoke a fishing-smack just off yonder the night before the storm, and they had aboard two of the scaredest fellows you ever see.
human
The captain of the smack said the boys had been sea-sick ever since they shipped, and as soon as the fog came on they had been so frightened he didn’t know what to do with ’em.
gpt
Well, what did he do?
human
He wanted Captain Melrose to take them off his hands; he thought there was goin’ to be a storm, and he really hadn’t room for ’em. He said they just stayed around and moped.
gpt
Poor fellows!
human
Captain Melrose couldn’t take ’em; he was bound out. The other cap’n said somethin’ about the two belongin’ on an island with a campin’-party; and afterwards when he came ashore here and see all you fellows he concluded this was the island.
gpt
Boys, go on to camp, and Mr. Lane and I will go back to the lighthouse and interview these men to see if we can get any further information.
human
What do you suppose has become of them?
gpt
I wish I knew; and yet I don’t either. That awful storm came after Captain Melrose spoke the smack. Oh, I wish they would come sailing by now!
human
What would you do?
gpt
I would fly over to Mr. Bernard and beg him to let them land. I think they’ve been punished enough, and I think he thinks so too, and would forgive them.
human
Who wants to go out in the boat?
gpt
I, said Joe;
human
Who cares for white-caps? It’s all the more fun when the boat dances.
gpt
Well, fun or no fun, you won’t get Mr. Bernard’s permission to go before to-morrow, and very likely not then.
human
Oh, bother! Mr. Bernard is always tying us up so. We can’t go here, we can’t go there,
gpt
That’s so. I should think we were old enough to do as we choose. My father doesn’t want me to be made a Miss Nancy; he wants me to rough it,
human
I’ve managed a boat ever since I was out of petticoats, continued Ned,
gpt
I don’t think Mr. Bernard is a bit too strict, said Joe boldly.
human
Just remember that he has the care of a big crowd, and feels responsible for our safety. I believe most of our folks would say he couldn’t be too careful in such a place as this.
gpt
Oh, of course you would stand up for him! sneered Walter,
human
Well, if we can’t use our boat we might as well set her adrift. What’s the use of having a boat?
gpt
Bite off your nose to spite your face!
human
I’ll tell you what we’ll do. I’ll get Mr. Bernard to let us go off to the other end of the island down by the place John told us about, and we’ll bring our lunch and have a high time!
gpt
Can’t go without a teacher along to look after us, just as if we were infants out with their nurse,
human
I will ask Mr. Bernard to give us liberty for once, and trust us to take care of ourselves,
gpt
He won’t do it.
human
I’ll ask, anyhow. I believe he will.
gpt
There’s the supper-bell!