pretty boat! Where might the Doctor be going to this voyage?"
"We're going to Spidermonkey Island," I said proudly.
"And be you the only one the Doctor's taking along?"
"Well, he has spoken of wanting to take another man," I said; "but so far he hasn't made up his mind."
Matthew grunted; then squinted up at the graceful masts of the Curlew.
"You know, Tommy," said he, "if it wasn't for my rheumatism I've half a mind to come with the Doctor myself. There's something about a boat standing ready to sail that always did make me feel venturesome and travelish-like. What's that stuff in the cans you're taking on?"
"This is treacle," I said—"twenty pounds of treacle."
"My Goodness," he sighed, turning away sadly. "That makes me feel more like going with you than ever—But my rheumatism is that bad I can't hardly—"
I didn't hear any more for Matthew had moved off, still mumbling, into the crowd that stood about the wharf. The clock in Puddleby Church struck noon and I turned back, feeling very busy and important, to the task of loading.
But it wasn't very long before some one else came
