"We always have the fountain," Mama Becky said.
"I know, but that's not a long-term solution. That wouldn't be much better than what the reverend did."
The door opened and Molly heard Uncle David's growly voice and Uncle Wendell's voice that squeaked every few words as though he had the hiccups. Uncle David was mad at Uncle Wendell for falling into snowdrifts. "I spent twenty minutes digging Wendy out of the snow," Uncle David said.
"Stop calling me that!" Uncle Wendell shouted. Mama Becky shushed him and Aunt Samantha told the boys to sit by the fire. She repeated what she'd said to Mama Becky.
"I don't see any choice now but to try crossing the sea," Aunt Samantha announced. "Wendell, can the fishing boat get us there and back in one piece?"
"It should, with some modifications," he said.
"Good. Only a couple of us can go and the others have to stay here and look after things-"
Molly opened the door and raced into the circle of grownups. "I'll go!" she said. "I want to go across the sea."
"Molly, I told you to stay in your room," Mama Becky said.
"Please Mama, let me go. I'm old enough."
Aunt Samantha shook her head. "I'm sorry, honey, but I can't let you go. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to that pretty head of yours."
Molly stamped her foot. "You think I'm too little."
"No, of course not. But it's going to be very scary-"
"I'm not scared. I won't cry even if a mean old snake comes out of the water to eat us."
Aunt Samantha laughed and patted Molly's head again. "I'm sure you wouldn't. You're a very brave girl. That's why it's so important you stay here."
Mama Becky picked Molly up and sat with Molly on her lap. "That's right, sweetheart, you have to stay here with me and look after all the other boys and girls."
"Are you sure?" Aunt Samantha asked.
Mama Becky nodded. She put a hand on Molly's head. "My place is here with Molly."
Aunt Prudence gulped as if she were swallowing a whole egg. "I'll go with you," she said to Aunt Samantha.
"You should stay here with Becky," Uncle David said. "Samantha and I can handle this."
"What about me? I want to go too," Uncle Wendell said. "You'll need me if anything goes wrong with the boat."
"I wouldn't dream of going without you," Aunt Samantha said. "David, you stay here with Becky. We'll need someone to watch over everyone in case something happens."
"What? You're letting Wendy go and not me?" It was Uncle David's turn to stamp his foot. "You expect me to sit here and babysit while you go gallivanting off across the sea?"