Itrustthatmyreadershavenotcludedfromthepregchapteronbooksthatreadingismyonlypleasure;mypleasuresandamusementsaremanyandvaried.

    MorethahecourseofmystoryIhavereferredtomyloveofthetryandout-of-doorsports.

    WhenIwasquitealittlegirl,Ilearorowandswim,andduringthesummer,whenIamatWrentham,Massachusetts,Ialmostliveinmyboat.Nothinggivesmegreaterpleasurethantotakemyfriendsoutrowiheyvisitme.Ofcourse,Iotguidetheboatverywell.SomeoneusuallysitsiernandmaherudderwhileIrow.Sometimes,however,Igorowingwithouttherudder.Itisfuntotrytosteerbythestofwatergrassesandlilies,andofbushesthatgrowontheshore.Iuseoarswithleatherbands,whichkeeptheminpositionintheoarlocks,andIknowbytheresistahewaterwhentheoarsareevenlypoised.InthesamemannerIalsotellwhenIampullingagainstthecurrent.Iliketotendwithwindandwave.Whatismoreexhilaratingthantomakeyourstaunchlittleboat,obedienttoyourwillandmuscle,goskimminglightlylistening,tiltingwaves,andtofeelthesteady,imperioussurgeofthewater!

    Ialsoenjoyoeing,andIsupposeyouwillsmilewhenIsaythatIespeciallylikeitonmoonlightnights.Iot,itistrue,seethemoonclimbuptheskybehindthepinesandstealsoftlyacrosstheheavens,makingashiningpathforustofollow;butIknowsheisthere,andasIliebackamongthepilloutmyhandier,IfancythatIfeeltheshimmerarmentsasshepasses.Sometimesadaringlittlefishslipsbetweenmyfingers,andoftenapond-lilypressesshylyagainstmyhand.Frequently,asweemergefromtheshelterofacoveori,Iamsuddenlysciousofthespaciousnessoftheairaboutme.Aluminouswarmthseemstoenfoldme.Whether