They were
kind enough to regard the presence of the "teacher" as indispensable to
their complete enjoyment, while I was ready to congratulate myself that
my society alone was the object desired, for though I brought my
near-sighted vision to bear faithfully upon the sands, I never succeeded
in capturing a clam.
I heard that Bachelor Lot had confided aside to Captain Sartell that
"Teacher'd ought to bring a hook and line. The clams 'ud go for it in a
minute if she'd only bring a hook and line;" and, stung by the unsheathed
sarcasm of this remark, I was accustomed afterwards to wander off towards
"Steeple Rock." The rock was accessible at low-tide, and from thence I
could watch the ocean on one side, and the clam-diggers on the other;
could see Grandma on her hands and knees, a dot of broad good nature
in the distance, always remaining apparently in the one place, and
always, somehow, getting her basket full of clams as she gradually sank
deeper and deeper into the briny soil; but no true Wallencamper ever
caught cold by soaking in the brine.
I could distinguish Madeline wandering lightly about among the rocks,
scraping off mussels with her hoe; and the Modoc, the champion
clam-digger of all, spreading her tentacles here and there, and never
failing to come up with a bivalve.
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