But now, Milly, look out for the lilies.

Father's going to take us in among them, and I'll hold you, while you gather them." And presently, swish went the boat up against the rushes, and there were the lovely white lilies lying spread out on the water all round them, some quite open and showing their golden middles, and some still buds, with their wet green cases just falling off, and their white petals beginning to unclose.

But what slippery stalks they had.

Aunt Emma held Milly, and father held Olly, while they dived their hands under the water and pulled hard.

And some of the lilies came out with such short bits of stalk you could scarcely hold them, and sometimes, flop! out came a long green stalk, like a long green snake curling and twisting about in the boat.