Just now I imagine that he's talking like wildfire with his mother." It was a wrong guess, however.

Just then the telephone sounded in the next room, and Belle went to answer it.
"It's your shipmate, Dan," she called laughingly.

"He wants to talk with you, Dave." "I wonder how the fellow ever guessed that I was here," smiled Darrin, as he hastily joined Belle at the 'phone.
"Hello," hailed Dalzell at the other end of the wire.

"Going to do anything in particular this afternoon, David, little giant ?" "Yes; I hope to make myself more or less agreeable to Miss Meade." "A small crowd won't be any bar to that, eh ?" Dan wanted to know.
"Not if the crowd and the occasion are agreeable to Miss Meade." "Well, you know Foss and Canty ?" "Two of our old High School boys?
Yes." "Foss has a new gasoline launch; he says it's a beauty, and he wants us to invite Miss Meade and Miss Bentley, to join them and a couple of the former High School girls for a couple of hours' cruise on the river.
What say you ?" "What does Belle say, you mean.

Wait a moment, and I'll ask her." Darrin explained the invitation.
"Why, if it will be pleasant for you, Dave, I shall be delighted to go," Belle answered.
"It's all right," Dave called back over the 'phone.