I see you've got
yours. Would you mind lending me a fresh shirt and a collar, old
chap?"
"Gladly," cried Joe, very much relieved. "Will you take them now?"
starting to open his bag. Windomshire hastily interposed.
"I'd rather not, old chap. It's rather exposed here, don't you know.
Later on, if you please. Thanks, old man; I'll not forget this." They
shook hands without any apparent excuse.
"Mr. Windomshire!" called Mrs. Van Truder. He turned with a hopeless
look in his eyes. The two girls had misery and consternation plainly
stamped in their faces. "We can't all go over in the next boats, you
know. I've no doubt you and Miss Thursdale would not in the least mind
being left to the last," with a sly smile.
"Oh--er--ah, by Jove!" gasped Windomshire, with a glance at the still
faces of the young women. He saw no relief there.
"Blamed cat!" muttered Dauntless, gritting his teeth.
"Mr. Dauntless, will you and Miss Courtenay come with us in this boat?
I want some one to keep the snakes away; Mr. Van Truder can't see
them, you know."
There was no way out of it. Joe and Anne meekly followed the Van
Truders into the wobbly boat, resentment in their hearts, uncertainty
in their minds.
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