“Yes, ever since I heard some criticisms of yours yesterday on my bungling swimming.”
“Oh, I didn’t say much,” declared Mart evasively.
“You said enough to make the crowd believe you could beat me all hollow at diving.”
“Well,” flustered Mart desperately, “I can.”
“Want to prove that?” challenged Tom sharply.
“Some time.”
“Why not now? We’re all here and the water is fine. We’ll make it a dash for the half-mile fence and return, under water test, somersaults and diving.”
Mart had begun to retreat. He flushed and stammered. Finally he blurted out:
“I’m due now at Morgan’s with a message from my folks.”
“You haven’t seemed in a hurry,” suggested Ben.