The encounter completely spoiled the doctor's walk, and he turned back sooner than he had intended, meeting Aunt Sophia and Naomi Raleigh in the garden, and accompanying them in to the breakfast-table, where the incident was forgotten in the discussion that ensued respecting returns to town. Of these, Scarlett would hear nothing, for he had made his plans. He said they were to dine at five; and directly after, the boat would be ready, and they would pull up to the lock, and then float down home again by moonlight. "Well," said Scales, with a shrug of the shoulders, "you are master here." "No, no," replied his host; "yonder sits the master;" and he pointed to his wife. "How many will the boat hold safely, dear?" said Lady Scarlett. "Oh, a dozen, easily. Eighteen, if they would all sit still and not wink their eyes. We shan't be above seven, so that's all right." "You need not expect me to go," said Aunt Sophia sharply. "I'm not going to risk my life in a boat." "Pooh! auntie; there's no risk," cried Scarlett. "You'd better come." "No; I shall not!" said the lady very decisively. "Why, auntie, how absurd!" said Scarlett, passing his arm round her waist. "Now, what is the very worst that could happen?" "Why, that boat would be sure to upset, James, and then we should all be drowned." "Now, my dear old auntie," cried Scarlett, "the boat is not at all likely to upset; in fact I don't think we could upset her; and if she were, it does not follow that we should be drowned." "Why, we should certainly be, boy," cried Aunt Sophia.--"Naomi, my dear, of course you have not thought of going?" "Yes, aunt, dear; I should like to go very much," said Naomi. "Bless the child! Why?" "The river is lovely, aunt, with the shadows of the trees falling upon it, and their branches reflected on its surface." "O yes; very poetical and pretty at your age, child," cried Aunt Sophia. "You never see the mud at the bottom, or think that it is wet and covered with misty fog in winter. Well, I suppose you must go." "Really, Miss Raleigh, we will take the greatest care of her," said Prayle. "I really should like to take the greatest care of you," muttered the doctor. "Well, I suppose you must go, my dear," said Aunt Sophia. "Oh, thank you, aunt!" cried the girl gleefully. "Now, look here, James," said Aunt Sophia; "you will be very, very careful?" "Of course, auntie." "And you won't be dancing about in the boat or playing any tricks?" "No--no--no," said Scarlett, at intervals. "I faithfully promise, though I do not know why." "You don't know why, James?" "No, auntie. I never do play tricks in a boat. No one does but a madman, or a fool. Besides, I don't want to drown my little wifie." "Now, James, don't be absurd. Who ever thought you did?" "No one, aunt," said Lady Scarlett. "But you will go with us, will you not?" "No, my dear; you know how I hate the water. It is not safe."