They had moved off a little way from the others now, Scarlett having kept his arm round the old lady's waist, evidently greatly to her gratification, though if it had been hinted at, she would have repudiated the fact with scorn. "Don't you, auntie?" he said seriously. "Well, I'll tell you." He paused, then, and seemed to be thinking. "Well?" she said sharply; "why is it? Now you are making up a flowery speech." "No," he said softly. "I was thinking of how precious little a young fellow thinks of his mother till she has gone. Auntie, every now and then, when I look at you, there is a something that brings her back so much. That's why I like to have you with me in this trip." Aunt Sophia did not speak; but her hard sharp face softened more and more as she went into the house, to come out, ten minutes later, in one of the most far-spreading Tuscan straw-hats that ever covered the head of a maiden lady; and the marvel to her friends was that she should have been able to obtain so old-fashioned a production in these modern times. Volume 1, Chapter X. UP TO THE WEIR. "That's the style. Hold her tight, Monnick.--Now, auntie, you first. Steady; that's the way. You won't swamp her." "But it gives way so, James, my dear," said Aunt Sophia nervously. "There you are. Sit down at once. Never stand up in a boat.--Is the cushion all right? That's the way.--Now, Naomi.--Hand her in, Jack.-- Come along, Kitty." Lady Scarlett gave her hand to her husband as soon as Naomi Raleigh was in, and stepped lightly from the gunwale to one thwart, and then took her place beside Aunt Sophia, Naomi being on the other. "Arthur, old fellow, you'd better sit behind them and ship the rudder. Shorten the lines, and you can steer.--Ready, Jack?" he said as Prayle stepped into the boat and sat down on a thwart behind the ladies. "Oh!" cried Aunt Sophia with a little scream; "take him out; he's too heavy. He'll sink the boat." "Ha-ha-ha!" laughed the doctor. "It's all right, auntie, I tell you," cried Scarlett, making the boat dance up and down as he stepped in, and, stripping off his flannel jacket, rolled up his sleeves over his arms. The doctor stepped in and imitated his friend, both standing up, the muscular specimens of humanity, though wonderfully unlike in aspect. "Now, you told me it was dangerous to stand up in a boat, James," cried Aunt Sophia. "Pray, pray, take care. And look, look--the boat has broken loose!" For the gardener had dropped the chain into the forepart, and it was drifting slowly with the stream. "All, so she has," cried Scarlett merrily; "and if we don't stop her, she'll take us right to London before we know where we are." "But do, pray, sit down, my dear." "All right, auntie," said Scarlett, dropping into his place, the doctor following suit. "Oh, oh!" cried Aunt Sophia, catching tightly hold of her companions on each side; "the boat's going over." "No, no, aunt, dear," said Lady Scarlett; "it is quite safe."