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They melted lead and poured it into water, to learn from the shape
as it cooled the secret of their future work; they floated needles
on water, watching them sink, or swim and gather in groups; they
roasted nuts in the ashes, and tried the old, old test of the
three dishes of water. But the prettiest trick of all was one that
brought them back to the great tub once more, to float the walnut-
shell boats, with their burning candles fixed in each. As the
girls took their pairs of shells, one with a pink, the other with
a blue candle placed in the middle like a mast, it was curious to
see the difference in their ways of launching them on this mimic
ocean of life. Jean and Jessie dropped theirs in thoughtlessly,
only intent on the fun of the moment. Florence put hers in
daintily and with care not to wet her fingers, and Molly and
Katharine launched theirs out boldly, following them up with a
little ripple which sent them rocking away into the midst of the
tiny fleet. But Polly, Polly who did not believe in signs, had an
anxious pucker about her eyebrows as she started out her wee
vessels, and hurried them all their way with a mighty splash which
threatened to capsize them, there and then.
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