"No, but——"

"She said you couldn't row. Now, sitting in a boat that's tied isn't rowing, is it?"

"No, but——"

"Oh, come on, Beth. It's perfectly safe when it's tied."

She hesitated. Harvey was too much of a diplomat not to press his advantage.

"Now, Beth, I think you might. I wouldn't ask you to do anything your mamma didn't like. She won't mind, I know."

Still Beth was undecided.

"And, Beth, you ought to want to please me after I gave you Don."

This argument appealed to her. She wished to show her appreciation.

"All right, if you really think mamma wouldn't mind."