human
This time I advise you to take a houseboat trip. And I make this offer. I will provide the boat and all the needful food and supplies, such as gasoline and oil when you reach the river and lake. Everything else is on board, from beds to dishes. I will also hire a mule driver and engage some mules for the canal trip. Now, how does that suit you?
gpt
Oh! Oh!
human
How wonderful!
gpt
Can we go?
human
The whole family, including Neale,
gpt
Oo-ee!
human
Well, now I have made the offer, think it over, and while you are doing that I'll give a little attention to Neale's case, went on Mr. Howbridge.
gpt
Now, young man, suppose we go and find this mule driver who seems to know something of your father.
human
Oh, wait! Don't go away just yet! begged Ruth.
gpt
Let's talk about the trip some more! Do you really think we can go?
human
I want you to go. It would be doing me a favor, said the lawyer.
gpt
I must get this boat to Lake Macopic somehow, and I don't know a better way than to have Martha and her family take it,
human
And did you really mean I may go, too?
gpt
If you can arrange it, and Miss Ruth agrees.
human
Of course I will! But, oh, there will be such a lot to do to get ready. We'd have to take Mrs. MacCall along, too,
gpt
Of course, assented Mr. Howbridge.
human
By all means!
gpt
And would you go too?
human
Would you like me to?
gpt
Of course. We'd all like it.
human
I might manage to make at least part of the trip, was the reply.
gpt
Then you have decided to take my offer?
human
Oh, I think it's perfectly _wonderful_!
gpt
Very well then, said the guardian,
human
What is it?
gpt
Why couldn't we hire Hank Dayton for a mule driver? Neale asked.
human
He's rough, but I think he's a decent man and honest, and he knows a lot about the canal and boats and mules.
gpt
It might not be a bad idea, assented Mr. Howbridge.
human
We'll find him and ask him, Neale. And it would be killing two birds with one stone. He could help you in your search for your father. Yes, I think that will be a good plan. Girls, I'll leave you here to look over the _Bluebird_ at your leisure while Neale and I go to interview the mule driver.
gpt
And I hope he will be able to tell you how to find your father, Neale,
human
I hope so, too, added the boy.
gpt
You don't know, Aggie, how much I've wanted to find father.
human
Of course I do, Neale. And you'll find him, too!