“I should like to try yours,” said James.
“I shall be glad to have you,” said Herbert, politely.
“And you may take mine,” said James, with unwonted politeness.
“All right.”
The two boys got into the boats and pulled out. James was charmed with the new boat. In every way it was superior to his own boat, apart from its being newer. It was certainly very provoking to think that a boy like Herbert Carter, poor almost to beggary, should own such a beautiful little boat, while he, a rich man's son, had to put up with an inferior one.
“I say, Herbert,” he began, when they returned, “don't you want to exchange your boat for mine?”
“Not much; I should be a fool to do that.”
“I don't mean even, for I know your boat is better. I'll give you five dollars to boot.”
“No, thank you; there's a good deal more than five dollars' difference between your boat and mine.”
“Five dollars would come handy to a poor boy like you,” said James, in his usual tone of insolent condescension.