The poor man was protesting his innocence when Boo , who was passing by , looked into the basket , and asked what had become of his lob . A few questions brought the truth to light , and a general laugh put every one in good humor , when poor Boo mildly said , by way of explanation , -- `` I fought I was helpin ' Mrs. Dray , and I did want to see the dreen lob come out all red when she boiled him . But I fordot , and I do n't fink I 'll ever find such a nice big one any more . '' `` For our sakes , I hope you wo n't , my dear , '' said Mrs. Hammond , who had been nursing one of the sufferers . `` It 's lucky we are going home to-morrow , or that child would be the death of himself and everybody else . He is perfectly crazy about fish , and I 've pulled him out of that old lobster-pot on the beach a dozen times , '' groaned Molly , much afflicted by the mishaps of her young charge . There was a great breaking up next day , and the old omnibus went off to the station with Bacon hanging on behind , the bicycle boy and his iron whirligig atop , and heads popping out of all the windows for last good-byes . Our party and the Hammonds were going by boat , and were all ready to start for the pier when Boo and little Harry were missing . Molly , the maid , and both boys ran different ways to find them ; and all sorts of dreadful suggestions were being made when shouts of laughter were heard from the beach , and the truants appeared , proudly dragging in Harry 's little wagon a dead devil-fish , as the natives call that ugly thing which looks like a magnified tadpole -- all head and no body . `` We 've dot him ! '' called the innocents , tugging up their prize with such solemn satisfaction it was impossible to help laughing . `` I always wanted to tatch a whale , and this is a baby one , I fink . A boy said , when they wanted to die they comed on the sand and did it , and we saw this one go dead just now . Ai n't he pretty ? '' asked Boo , displaying the immense mouth with fond pride , while his friend flapped the tail . `` What are you going to do with him ? '' said Mrs. Hammond , regarding her infant as if she often asked herself the same question about her boy . `` Wap him up in a paper and tate him home to pay wid , '' answered Harry , with such confidence in his big blue eyes that it was very hard to disappoint his hopes and tell him the treasure must be left behind . Wails of despair burst from both children as the hard-hearted boys tipped out the little whale , and hustled the indignant fishermen on board the boat , which had been whistling for them impatiently . Boo recovered his spirits first , and gulping down a sob that nearly shook his hat off , consoled his companion in affliction and convulsed his friends by taking from his pocket several little crabs , the remains of a jelly-fish , and such a collection of pebbles that Frank understood why he found the fat boy such a burden when he shouldered him , kicking and howling , in the late run to the boat .
These delicate toys healed the wounds of Boo and XXXXX , and they were soon happily walking the little `` trabs '' about inside a stone wall of their own building , while the others rested after their exertions , and laid plans for coming to the Willows another year , as people usually did who had once tasted the wholesome delights and cordial hospitality of this charming place .
Bacon Frank Hammond Hammonds Harry first lobster-pot sakes tadpole whirligig