Part 3 (1/2)
”What do you want of him?” asked Kate, rather petulantly.
”We must go over in a boat, and we want him to manage it for us.”
”Perhaps he will come; he promised to do so.”
”We will go up to the landing-place; perhaps he is up there.”
The two girls walked up to the Woodville pier; but Tom Magner was not there. He seemed to have no relish for the society of the interesting young ladies engaged in a brilliant enterprise; and if he had made any appointment to meet them, he neglected to keep it. f.a.n.n.y was very much disappointed at his non-appearance, much more so than the young gentleman's sister, who, not knowing the extent of the enterprise, was in blissful ignorance of its perils and difficulties. Tom Magner was an almost indispensable part of the plan; but the young knight did not come, and the project must be abandoned or carried out without him.
”I am afraid he won't come,” said f.a.n.n.y, after impatiently waiting for half an hour.
”I know he won't now. I don't believe he intended to come at all,”
replied Kate.
”He is a mean fellow, then.”
”We can get along without him. We shall have more money to spend ourselves.”
”But how shall we get over to Whitestone?”
”We can go up the river and take the ferry.”
”Yes; and the first person we meet may be your father, or some of the Woodville folks. No, Kate, we must not be seen; if we are, all our fun will be spoiled.”
”For my part I don't want Tom, or any other boy with us. I think boys are hateful!”
”So do I; but I only want him to manage the boat. Don't you think you could go up and find Tom?”
”I don't think I could,” said Kate, indignantly.
”Where is he?”
”At school, I suppose.”
”Couldn't you tell the teacher that your father wants him?” suggested f.a.n.n.y.
”No, I could not! I should be caught myself. I believe you want to get me into trouble.”
”I'm sure I don't, Kate, for that would get me into trouble. What shall we do?”
”We will go up to the ferry. We can see who is in the boat before we go on board.”
”I won't do that if we don't go at all.”
And so the brilliant scheme seemed to be defeated for the want of a boatman; but f.a.n.n.y was too bold and enterprising in mischief to give up without a struggle.
CHAPTER III.