“No, I never have.”
“Well, you ought to. And are you really going to enter the canoe race, Mr. Dallett? And will you paddle or sail?”
“Yes,” said Ben, forming a sudden resolution, “I’m going into the race.”
“And will you paddle or sail?”
“Paddle.”
“How perfectly lovely. I say, girls, wouldn’t it be fine sport for Bessie and Mr. Dallett to have a race now? Mr. Clarke won’t be back for a little while yet with the yacht and the boys, and I think it would be fine to have a race right here.”
“Not very fine for me, I fear,” replied Ben. “Miss Bessie would beat me.”
“I’d do my best, you may be sure of that,” exclaimed the young lady referred to. “Do you want to race with me, Mr. Dallett?”
“I’m afraid—”
“Oh, never mind, if you are afraid,” said Bessie, quickly, her eyes sparkling as she spoke. “Possibly you might tip over.”