Ballou saw her. He straightened and came toward her swiftly. "Somebody looks mighty sweet this afternoon."
Tessie plumped the heavy lunch box into his arms. "When you get a line you like you stick to it, don't you?"
Down at the boathouse even Tessie, who had confessed ignorance of boats and oars, knew that Ballou was fumbling clumsily. He stooped to adjust the oars to the oarlocks. His hat was off. His hair looked very gray in the cruel spring sunshine. He straightened and smiled up at her.
"Ready in a minute, sweetheart," he said. He took off his collar and turned in the neckband of his shirt. His skin was very white. Tessie felt a little shudder of disgust sweep over her, so that she stumbled a little as she stepped into the boat.
The river was very lovely. Tessie trailed her fingers in the water and told herself that she was having a grand time. She told Nap the same when he asked her.
"Having a good time, little beauty?" he said. He was puffing a little with the unwonted exercise.
Tessie tried some of her old-time pertness of speech. "Oh, good enough, considering the company."
He laughed admiringly at that and said she was a sketch.
When the early evening came on they made a clumsy landing and had supper. This time Nap fed her the tidbits, though she protested.
"White meat for you," he said, "with your skin like milk."