“N–no, not yet,” said Dexter, shivering.
“There’s a coward!” sneered Bob.
“I’m not a coward, but it seems so dark and horrible to-night, and as if something might lay hold of you.”
“Yes, you are a regular coward,” sneered Bob. “There, jump in, or I’ll shy stones at yer till you do.”
Dexter did not speak, but tumbled all of a heap on the short turf, shrinking more and more from his task.
“I shall have to go without you,” said Bob.
“I can’t help it,” said Dexter, in a low, tremulous whisper. “It’s too horrid to get in there and swim across in the dark.”
“No, it ain’t. I’d do it in a minute. There, jump in.”
“No,” said Dexter sadly. “I must give it up.”
“What, yer won’t do it!”