Children of the Betsy B

"The next thing that made me sit up and take notice was the amount of paint it took. I've painted hundreds of boats in my time, and know to the pint what's needed. Well I had to send to town for more; I was shy about five gallons. Come to think about it, she did look big for a fortyfooter, so I got out a tape and laid it on 'er. She was fifty- eight feet over all! And she'd done it so gradual I never even noticed!

"But--to get along. I painted 'er nice and white, with a red bottom and a catchy green trim, along the rail and canopy. We polished 'er bright--work and titivated 'er generally. She did look nice, and new as you please--and in a sense she was, with the bottom I was tellin' you about. You'd a died a-laughin' though, if you'd b