“Eric," said his Aunt Opal very early one morning during the Season of Calm. "I was thinking you might set the crab traps today on Cantrip's Point. The wind is down a bit and the tides are running low. I don't suppose you'll fall into any trouble.”

“Of course I won't,” Eric replied, looking across the breakfast table at his aunt's worn face. “Can I take the big net, too? There's a deep place off the rocks where I think a lampfish lives.”

“A lampfish! Well! We could certainly use some new hooks. By all means, take the net and sound the bell to tell the others. But do be careful, Eric, of the swell around the point. Cantrip's Spout is just offshore and, Season of Calm or not, it's churning in its bed.”