“Humph!” said the squire, clearing his throat; “I think you will have to wait a while.”
“How long?” asked James, dissatisfied.
“I'll tell you what I'll do,” said his father, “If things go well, I expect to make a good deal of money within twelve months. Instead of a rowboat, I'll buy you a beautiful little sailboat next season.”
“Will you?” exclaimed James, delighted.
“Yes; won't that be much better?”
“You are right, father.”
Certainly a sailboat would be far better and there was very little chance of Herbert's having one given him. So James went cut rowing contentedly the next afternoon, although Herbert was out also in the new boat.
“Your boat is better than mine,” said James. “However, I am to have an elegant yacht next year.”
“Are you?” said Herbert, interested.
“Father has promised to get me one. He would get me one this season but it would be some time before it could be got ready and I can have it the first thing next spring.”