"When we got ashore, and took an account of stock," said Mr.
Robinson, "I found some sort of shelter would be necessary, even if
we were in a land of almost perpetual June.
"This wasn't the first time I had gone camping, under worse
circumstances than these, so I soon put up this hut. Not bad, is
it?" and he waved his hand toward the palm-leaf thatched structure.
"It's great!" cried Jack. "I think I'll stay here a while myself,
and camp out"
"You may--I've had enough," said Mrs. Robinson. "Oh, I do hope you
girls have some spare hairpins!" she exclaimed. "Perry said to use
thorns, but even if Mother Eve did her hair up that way, I can't!"
she sighed.
"Well, to make a long story short," resumed Mr. Robinson, "we've been
here ever since. And we are beginning to enjoy ourselves. We've had
enough to eat, such as it is, though the tinned stuff gets a trifle
palling after a time. So I've been trying to catch a few crabs."
"And he hasn't had any luck--he might as well confess," said his
wife.
"Give me time, my dear," protested Mr. Robinson. "There's one now!"
He made a swoop with the improvised net, but the crustacean flipped
itself into deep water and escaped.
"Never mind--you're going to leave now, Dad!" said Bess, gaily.
The young folks inspected the rude hut, and were charmed by its
simplicity.
"Though it does leak," said Mr. Robinson.
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