Master Sparrow had left his post, and was nowhere to be seen.
I gave her my hand and led her to the shore; then loosed my boat and helped her aboard.

I was pushing off when a voice hailed us from the bank, and the next instant a great bunch of red roses whirled past me and fell into her lap.

"Sweets to the sweet, you know," said Master Jeremy Sparrow genially.

"Goodwife Allen will never miss them." I was in two minds whether to laugh or to swear,--for I had never given her flowers,--when she settled the question for me by raising the crimson mass and bestowing it upon the flood.
A sudden puff of wind brought the sail around, hiding his fallen countenance.

The wind freshened, coming from the bay, and the boat was off like a startled deer.