ver-fond of exerting himself. I think it would be a good idea, Jack,
when you sign your partnership papers, or whatever they are, to put in
something about dividing the work as well as the expense _and_ the
profits."

"There go your claws again," said Neal. "Let's change the subject by
trying to catch a 'lucky-bug.'" And he made a grab towards the myriads
of insects that were darting hither and thither on the surface of the
water. "I'll give a prize--this fine new silver quarter to the one who
catches a 'lucky-bug.'"

He laid the money on the thwart of the boat and made another dash.

"When you have lived on the river as long as I have you'll know that
'lucky-bugs' can't be caught," said Cynthia. "Now see what you have
done, you silly boy!"

For with Neal's last effort the quarter had flown from the canoe and
sunk with a splash in the river.

"Good-by, quarter!" sang Neal. "I might find you if I thought it would
pay to get wet for the likes of you."

"If that is the way you treat quarters, I don't wonder you think your
allowance isn't big enough," said Cynthia, severely; "and may I ask you
a question?"

"You may ask a dozen; but the thing is, will I answer them?"

"You will if I ask them. Were you ever in a canoe before?"

"A desire to crush you tempts me to say 'yea,' but a stern regard for
truth compels me to answer 'nay.'"

"You couldn't crush me if you tried for a week, and you couldn't make me
believe you had ever been in a canoe before, for your actions show you
haven't. People that have spent their time on yachts and sail-boats
think they can go prancing about in a canoe and catch all the lucky-bugs
they want. When you have upset us all you will stop prancing, I
suppose."

"Claws again," groaned Neal, in exaggerated despair.

"I say, Cynth, let's go back and put him to work on that brooder," said
Jack, who had been enjoying this sparring-match. "We'll see what work we
can get out of him."

And, notwithstanding his remonstrances, Neal was paddled home and put to
work. Cynthia's "claws" did take effect, and for the first time in his
life he began to feel a little ashamed of being so lazy.

Jack was one of the plodding kind. His mind was not as brilliant as
Neal's, nor his tongue as ready, but at the end of the year he would
have more to show than Neal Gordon.

Mrs. Franklin carried out her plan of inviting their friends to the
"hatching bee," and Thursday was the day on which the chicks were
exp