"To tell the truth, I didn't want to disappoint either of you boys this afternoon, but I didn't believe the wind was quiet enough for boating on the river.

But mother reminded me that I was going with two young men who had been trained as sailors, and that I ought to be as safe as I would in the home parlor." "Well, aren't you ?" smiled Belle Meade.
"Did you really want to go out on the river, Belle ?" Dave asked.
"Not when you don't believe it to be safe." "I suppose Foss will be joking around town about our being afraid of the water," muttered; Dan.
"What do you care!" asked Dave quietly.

"You're responsible to the United States Government--not to a few private citizens on the streets of Gridley." "You'll take us out on the water before your leave is over, won't you ?" urged Belle.
"A dozen of times, if you care to go," Dave; replied quickly.
"In a sailboat ?" quizzed Belle.

"It must; be great fun to sail, and I've never been in a sailboat." "I'd rather take you out in a good, solid rowboat," Dave answered slowly.
"Why, haven't you had much sailboat practice at Annapolis yet ?" "We've had some," Darrin nodded.

"But I'm afraid I don't believe much in small sailboats for girls' parties." "Oh, very well." "Now, Belle, you will begin to believe that I'm a muff at heart," Darrin remonstrated.
"I won't anyway, Dave," Laura broke in.