“Won’t you go with us, dear? There is plenty of room.”
“But, I—I’m out of it, you know, Cousin Judith. I—I’m not one of your children,” she stammered.
“Come as my guest, then. Do you suppose I have ceased to love you, Sue? I’m not your Little Mother any more—more’s the pity—but I shall always remain your affectionate Cousin Judith. It would please me to have you come with us to-day, and enjoy yourself.”
Sue’s eyes were sparkling. Without a word, except a murmured “thank you, Cousin Judith!” she rushed for her hat and joined the others in the wagon.
It was a great day for the Darings and proved a delightful outing, although alas, the Riverdale crew went down to defeat.
An accident caused it, of course; otherwise, the race was surely Riverdale’s.
Phil led his crew over the course with masterful generalship, starting with slow, steady strokes, without regard for the lead of Bayport, and then gradually increasing the count until near the end Riverdale overtook their opponents and shot irresistibly into the lead. They were two boat lengths ahead and still gaining when one of the new men “caught a crab” and threw the entire crew into confusion. The scull swung half around and before headway could be recovered Bayport passed them and won the race.
Riverdale people had been lustily cheering when they saw their boat surely forging to the front and a certain winner, as they thought; but now a groan of dismay went up that was drowned by the cheers of the exultant Bayporters.
Phœbe was nearly ready to cry, while Becky and Don were savage with grief.