Encouragedbythis，Mr。Hamlingotthemtolaughingagain，andthenproposedaracehomeintheirwetclothes，whichtheyaccepted，Mr。
Hamlin，forrespiratoryreasons，laggingintheirrearuntilhehadthesatisfactionofseeingthemcapturedbythehorrifiedMelindainfrontofthekitchen，whileheslippedpastherandregainedhisownroom。Herehechangedhissaturatedclothes，triedtorubawayacertainchillinessthatwascreepingoverhim，andlaydowninhisdressinggowntomiserablereflections。Hehadnearlydrownedthechildrenandoverexcitedhimself，inspiteofhispromisetothedoctor！Hewouldneveragainbeintrustedwiththecareoftheformernorbebelievedbythelatter！
Buteventsarenotalwayslogicalinsequence。Mr。Hamlinwentcomfortablytosleepandintoaprofuseperspiration。Hewasawakenedbyarappingathisdoor，andopeningit，wassurprisedtofindMrs。Riverswithanxiousinquiriesastohiscondition。
“Indeed，“shesaid，withanemotionwhichevenherprimreservecouldnotconceal，“Ididnotknowuntilnowhowserioustheaccidentwas，andhowbutforyouandDivineProvidencemylittlegirlmighthavebeendrowned。ItseemsMelindasawitall。“
InwardlyobjurgatingthespyingMelinda，butrelievedthathisplaymateshadn’tbrokentheirpromiseofsecrecy，Mr。Hamlinlaughed。