“‘Ahem! how do you prove that, Mr. Blaisdell?’ inquired the professor, quite amazed.
“‘Why, we took that as a lesson in the shorthand class of the Commercial Department last spring,’ said Tubby, ‘and some of the real good ones could do Gray’s Elegy, from dictation, in seven minutes. See what Gray would have saved if he’d known shorthand!’
“And that completely shut up the professor,” said Ferd, as the laughter broke out. “He hasn’t recovered from the shock yet.”
The Happy Day was turned toward the Forge first, skirting the shore all the way. That brought them, of course, close to Jarley’s Landing. Polly was just pushing out in a little skiff.
Wyn and Frank waved to her; but the other girls did not know her, of course, and only watched the boatman’s daughter curiously.
“How well she rows!” exclaimed Percy.
“Say! but she’s a fine looking girl,” said Dave, earnestly. “What handsome arms she’s got.”
“Handsome is as handsome does,” remarked Bess, snappishly.
“She’s as brown as an Indian,” observed Mina.
“That doesn’t hurt her,” declared Dave, stoutly. “Is she the girl you were speaking about, Wyn?”