"
"If it takes all summer?"
"Yes."
"Well, you _are_ a goose."
"You have told me that so often, I begin to believe it."
"I wouldn't take that early walk for nothing."
"No more would I. But if you felt sure of your game, you wouldn't mind
the walk."
"No," said Charley.
"Well, I am sure."
"Whew!"
"I am as sure as I can be of anything that has not really happened."
"Ho, ho! That is very well put in. I wish I had as many dollars as I
know you won't catch a musk-rat. I could buy the Baby Pitcher's canary
to-morrow. Couldn't I, pet?"
Flora had come in, as she did every morning, to inquire about the
musk-rat.
"Buy it to-day," said Flora.
"Couldn't buy it to-day for want of money."
"You must not think anything about the bird," said Bertie, "for Charley
never will have any money."
"What a prospect!" said Charley.
"Not a very bright one for Flora, I must confess."
"She has my word, and that is as good as gold."
"Mustn't tell a story," said Flora. "If you don't have any money that
will be a story."
"And if Bertie does not catch a musk-rat, that will be a story."
"Yes. He said he would."
"And I will. You believe that I will keep my word?"
"I do, and Dinah does."
"Do you believe in the musk-rat?"
"I do. Is he in the trap?"
"He was not in the trap this morning."
"May be there now."
"Yes, dear, he may be."
"And then again he mayn't," said Charley. "If I were in the Baby
Pitcher's place I would give up looking for that animal.
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