“Hurry along, Captain,” she cried, “and we won’t have to be bothered with an unnecessary third.”
Skipper Tom glanced at her in some surprise. He knew Dixon to be deeply devoted to this beautiful girl, and had thought that she was interested in Dixon.
“I suppose he sticks too closely to her, though,” thought Halstead. “Any girl likes to have a little time to herself.”
So he helped her gallantly into the launch, started the motor and cast off.
“Hullo, there!” shouted Dixon, running out onto the porch. “Wait! I’ll go with you!”
“Make believe you don’t hear him,” murmured Ida, pouting.
Nothing loath, when backed by such a command, Captain Halstead threw on full speed, sending the launch speeding to the southward. He kept his gaze for some time on the water, seeking for shallows.
“You don’t like Mr. Dixon very well, do you?” inquired Miss Silsbee, abruptly, after a while.
Tom started, looking up to find her gaze intently fixed on his face.