human
He--he's just a little excited like,
gpt
Well, I should think he would be! declared Ruth, taking command of the situation, as she often had to do where Sammy was concerned.
human
And now what do you mean, hiding yourself and Billy Bumps on the boat? she demanded.
gpt
Why did you do it? And why, above all things, bring the goat?
human
Sammy answered.
gpt
I wanted to go houseboating awful bad, but I didn't think you'd take me and Billy. So this morning, when you was packing up, me and him came down here and we got on board. I hid us in a closet, and we was going to stay there until night and then maybe you'd be so far away you couldn't send us back. But something tickled my nose and I sneezed, and I guess Billy thought I was sneezing at him, for he bleated and then he butted his head against the door and it came open and--and--
human
Well, of all things!
gpt
It is rather remarkable, agreed Mr. Howbridge.
human
I don't know that I ever before had to deal with a stowaway. The question that's puzzling me is, what shall we do with him?
gpt
Can't me and Billy stay?
human
Of course not! voiced Ruth.
gpt
What would your mother and father say?
human
Oh, they wouldn't care, Sammy said, easily enough and brightening visibly at the question.
gpt
They let me stay when I went with you on our auto tour.
human
They surely did,
gpt
And Billy's strong, too! went on Sammy eagerly.
human
If one of the mules got sick he could help pull the boat.
gpt
The idea!
human
Oh, hello, Sammy!
gpt
Hello, Sammy returned.
human
I'm here!
gpt
Well, said Mr. Howbridge at length, as the houseboat was slowly pulled along the canal by the mules driven by Hank,
human
Oh, please can't I stay? begged the boy.
gpt
You can send Billy home, of course. I don't know why I brought him. But let me stay. I'm going to be a canal mule driver when I grow up, and I could begin now if you wanted me to.
human
Aren't you going to be a pirate?
gpt
Yes, of course. But I'm going to be a canal mule driver first.
human
It's out of the question, said Ruth firmly.
gpt
It was very wrong of you to hide away on board, Sammy. Very wrong indeed! And it is going to be a great bother for us to send you and Billy Bumps back home, as we must do. Twice for the same trick is too often.
human
Aw, say, Ruthie, you might turn Billy Bumps loose here on the bank and let me stay, pleaded Sammy.
gpt
Billy can take care of himself well enough.
human
Sammy Pinkney! exclaimed Tess, her eyes blazing.
gpt
Turn our goat loose just because you brought him along when you know you had no business to do that! Sammy Pinkney, you are the very worst boy I ever heard of!