“Of course it couldn’t,” Jessie agreed. “I’d rather paddle any time.”
“You must admit you can’t go quite as fast,” teased Phil. “Almost, of course, but not quite.”
“We never admit anything,” Lucile retorted. “Besides, I dare say we could go a good deal faster than some motor boats.”
“Sure,” said Phil, encouragingly. “I’ve seen lots of old tubs, minus the motor, that I’m sure you could run rings around.”
“Phil, if you don’t stop talking about things you don’t understand,” began Jessie.
“Is there anything?” asked Phil, with interest.
“We’ll dump you out and make you walk ashore,” she added, treating his remark with the haughty disdain it deserved.
“It’s a long way to shore,” said Phil, with a rueful glance over his shoulder. “Give me one more chance, fair damsel, and I will promise never to offend again.”
“Oh, if I could only believe him!” said Jessie, prayerfully.
Lucile laughed and flipped a salt drop toward the offending Phil. “You mustn’t be too hard on him, Jessie,” she remonstrated. “You know, he really might be worse.”