said Mama the next morning. The children began to wail, but it did no good. “I’ll get the ice and my groceries as quick as I can,” said Mama, “and Daddy will ask the man at the fish market to call a gas truck.” “As soon as I fill up with gas,” said Daddy, “we’ll start down river. This is a bad place here, tied up to this piling.” “Can we go in swimming?” asked Patsy. “No,” said Daddy. “There’s quicksand here—it’s too dangerous.” “Oh heck!” said Patsy in disgust. “After I learn to swim, I never get a chance to go in the water.” Off went Daddy and Mama in the johnboat to the town of New Madrid, pronounced New Mad´-rid. Patsy and Bunny were still in pajamas. They tumbled back into bed again. The houseboat always seemed empty with Mama gone. “Anybody who wants any breakfast better come and get it,” called Milly from the kitchen. “I’m not hungry,” said Patsy. “Neither am I,” said Bunny. But they came out and ate just the same. Milly pulled Dan out of his cot and dragged him by one leg to the kitchen.
