Троє в човні крім собаки

           Thentheywouldloweraboatandcometoourassistance;and,afterquarterofanhour’seffort,wouldgetuscleanoutoftheirway,sothattheycouldgoon; andwewouldthankthemsomuch,andaskthemtogiveusatow. Buttheyneverwould. 

           Anothergoodwaywediscoveredofirritatingthearistocratictypeofsteamlaunch,wastomistakethemforabeanfeast,andaskthemiftheywereMessrs.Cubit’slotortheBermondseyGoodTemplars,andcouldtheylendusasaucepan. 

           Oldladies,notaccustomedtotheriver,arealwaysintenselynervousofsteamlaunches. IremembergoinguponcefromStainestoWindsor—astretchofwaterpeculiarlyrichinthesemechanicalmonstrosities—withapartycontainingthreeladiesofthisdescription. Itwasveryexciting. Atthefirstglimpseofeverysteamlaunchthatcameinview,theyinsistedonlandingandsittingdownonthebankuntilitwasoutofsightagain. Theysaidtheywereverysorry,butthattheyowedittotheirfamiliesnottobefool-hardy. 

           WefoundourselvesshortofwateratHambledonLock;sowetookourjarandwentuptothelock-keeper’shousetobegforsome. 

           Georgewasourspokesman. Heputonawinningsmile,andsaid: 

           "Oh,pleasecouldyouspareusalittlewater?" 

           "Certainly,"repliedtheoldgentleman;"takeasmuchasyouwant,andleavetherest." 

           "Thankyousomuch,"murmuredGeorge,lookingabouthim. "Where—wheredoyoukeepit?"