The other gave a low laugh.
"Never mind, Captain!" he repeated, "we'll have it slick here in a minute.
Let me take the broom. You've got it wrong side up. By Harry, we've got
the deluge _inside_ the Ark this time, Captain!"
"Tarnal water-pail slipped moorin's," confessed Grandpa.
Then followed a vigorous sound of corn rattling, and water swashing
against the sides of the room, and I knew that Mr. Rollin, the elegant,
was sweeping out the kitchen of the Ark.
"I guess they's somebody else come," exclaimed Grandma, with hospitable
glee. "Wall, I declare for't. I guess I'll go out into my kitchen and git
that little no-back cheer. Seems to me as though we'd got all the rest on
'em in use, pretty much."
"I'll go, ma," said Madeline. "Teacher'll be wanted to play now, and may
be she will? though she can't be got to do it for common folks."
I did not enjoy playing on Madeline's melodeon. Any performances of that
kind which I had undertaken had been confined exclusively to an audience
of the Wallencampers. I had certainly never made an exception for the
amusement of the fisherman. But I flattered myself that there was no
trace of resentment in my tone when I said, "Sit still, Madeline, please,
I know where the chair is.
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