ovokingly on the turbid water, and made but little progress. It
would have been still less, perhaps, but for the fact that the water
flowed from the direction of the house past the old nurse.

But the difficulty the boy had soon to encounter was to guide the tub
to her, for it was in great danger of being carried past. The house
stood in a small valley or depression of ground, which rose to the lane
up which Mansy had been walking. She was now standing on the verge of
the water, which appeared to surround the house entirely, and
completely obliterated the lawn and garden, except for the trees and
shrubs, and the boundary hedge which stood above the turbid flood.

"Now, Mansy, look out!" cried Alfy. And whirling through the air came
a thin rope, which, before she was aware, struck her shoulder.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "what's that? What are you doing, Alfy?"

"Catch tight hold of it--quick, Mansy!"

Mansy's energy and common-sense were returning, and she was on the
alert in a moment. She caught the rope, and held it firmly. "The new
clothes line!" she exclaimed, "Bless the boy! what next?"

"Pull, Mansy dear, pull!" he shouted. She pulled hard, and the tub
slowly floated towards her.

"That's right; jolly!" exclaimed Alfy, as the tub, with its bright,
brave little burden, came close to Mansy and touched the ground before
her.

"My dear boy," exclaimed the good old woman, "how did this water
happen? And I am so glad to find you all well."

"Yes, all right, Mansy. Now get in the tub, quick! Is it not fun?"

"What! me get in the washing-tub?" she exclaimed. "Oh! I couldn't!"

"Why, yes, Mansy dear; that's what I came for. You'll be all right."

"Why, it wouldn't bear me! We should go to the bottom."

"Oh! nonsense, Mansy! Why, don't you remember at the seaside regatta,
last year men had a race in tubs?"

"Ah! but I'm--I'm--heavier than them men," said Mansy thoughtfully,
looking down on her ample proportions.

"The tub is big," exclaimed Alfy. "It is the biggest we have. We had
a work to get it out of the window; and it made such a splash! Come
on, dear Mansy!"

"I wouldn't do it for nobody but you, Master Alfy!"

"Well, do it for me then, Mansy. I'll take care of you; see if I
don't."

"Anyhow, the parcels might go in. There's something there nice,
Alfy,--a tongue--a nice Paysandoo; and some jam--blackberry and apple
mixed, and some biscuits."

"Oh! jolly! treat! Come on, dear Man