I'll bet his game was to
make us fear drowning, and then save us at so much more per save.
Like the philosopher and the ferryman, don't you know?"
"What philosopher?" asked Bess innocently.
"Oh, that old friend of mine who went to sea with his knowledge.
Don't you remember?"
"I never heard of him," declared Bess falling into the trap.
"Then let me tell you," and Ed slipped his arm within hers as they
walked along toward Cora's camp. "There was once a boatman and at
the same time there was a philosopher. The former took the latter
to sea, or to cross a small body of water, it doesn't really matter.
All the way as they sailed the philosopher would say: 'Did you ever
study astronomy?' The ferryman had not. 'Then half your life is
gone,' said the philosopher. 'Did you ever study philosophy? No?
Then another quarter of your life is gone.' And so on he went,
Belle dear," continued Ed, "until suddenly the boatman interrupted
him with: 'Say, did you ever study swimming?' And the philosopher
admitted that he had not. 'Then,' said the boatman, 'the whole of
your life is gone for this boat is sinking!' So you see, Belle, our
boatman might have given us that little fairy story and charged
accordingly."
"Yes, indeed!" put in Jack. "I think it was the luckiest thing that
you girls came along. And Ben! We must give Ben a banquet or
something fit."
"Ben is a great friend of mine," declared Cora.
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