The boat was a model of a smack, with brown sails.
James had taken a good deal of pains with it, and it was an excellent model.
Presently, in crossing, she stuck in a shallow some twelve feet from the edge.

The intervening stretch of water was a foot deep.
James picked up some small stones and threw them close to her, that the tiny wave they made might float her off.

He tried several times without success.
"What's the use of such little stones as that ?" Richard said roughly.
"You will never get her off like that;" and picking up one as large as his fist, he threw it with some force.
It struck the mast, and broke it asunder, and knocked the boat on to her side.

James Walsham uttered an angry exclamation.
"You are a bad boy," Aggie said passionately.

"You are a bad boy to break my boat;" and she burst into tears.
"I didn't mean to do it, you little fool!" Richard said angrily, vexed more at his own clumsiness than at the damage it had caused.