First I
thought it was a shark."
"Well, sharks live in the ocean, where the water is salty," declared
Ted.
"Anyhow maybe a muskrat bites," went on Janet.
"Well, maybe," agreed Ted. "I guess it's a good thing I didn't stay
there when he came swimming in," for the big rat passed right over the
place where Ted had been about to swim. "I'm glad you yelled, Janet."
"So'm I. I'm not going in swimming here anymore."
"Oh, he won't come back," Ted said. "Come on!"
But Janet would not go, and as it was no fun for Ted to splash in the
water all alone he stayed near shore and went wading with Trouble and
his sister.
This was fun, and the Curlytops had a good time, while Nora, now that
she knew there was no danger from sharks, sat in the shade and mended
holes in the children's stockings.
"I wish we had a boat," said Ted after a while.
"Why, we have," answered Jan.
"Yes, I know, the big rowboat. But that's too heavy for me and you--I
mean you and me," and Ted quickly corrected himself, for he knew it
was polite always to name oneself last. "But I want a little boat that
we can paddle around in."
Jan thought for a moment and then cried:
"Oh, I know the very thing!"
"What?" asked Ted eagerly.
"One of the boxes grandpa brought the things in from the store.
They're long, and we can make box-boats of them.
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