Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/181

Rh practice anyhow, and we won't be long. Come on."

It was a delightful day, and the invitation was hard to resist. Behold then, as a Frenchman would say, behold then, a little later, the four pretty girls in Boswell's launch, with himself and Pierce making themselves as agreeable as they knew how. And to give them their due, they knew how to interest girls, and were deferential and polite in their demeanor.

"Your pin is coming unfastened," remarked Boswell to Ruth, as they were speeding along, and he motioned to a bit of lace at her throat—lace caught up with a simple gold bar clasp.

"Oh, thank you," she answered, as she fastened it, and then she blushed, and was angry at herself for doing it.

"Where is that lovely old-fashioned brooch you used to wear?" asked Madge, looking at her chum.

"Oh—er—I wouldn't wear it out in a boat, anyhow," said Ruth, blushing redder than before. "I—I might lose it. See, wasn't that a fish that jumped over there!" and she pointed to the left, glad of a chance to change the subject.

"Yes, and a jolly big fellow, too!" declared Pierce. "Why can't we get up a fishing party, and take you girls?" he asked. "My word, it would be jolly sport! We could take our lunch,