His would hold six or eight boys readily.

He would invite some of the oldest boys to accompany him on his first trip, carefully omitting Frank Frost.

The slight would be still more pointed because Frank was his classmate.
When the bell rang for recess he lost no time in carrying out the scheme he had thought of.
"Dick," he called out to Dick Jones, "I am expecting my boat up from Boston next Tuesday, and I mean to go out in her Wednesday afternoon.
Wouldn't you like to go with me ?" "With all the pleasure in life," said Dick, "and thank you for the invitation." "How many will she hold ?" "Eight or ten, I expect.

Bob Ingalls, would you like to go, too ?" The invitation was eagerly accepted.

John next approached Henry Tufts, who was speaking with Frank Frost.
Without even looking at the latter, he asked Henry if he would like to go.
"Very much," was the reply.
"Then I will expect you," he said.