“What are you trying to do, Cora?” demanded Jack. “Have an accident before we’re fairly started? Better let me steer.”
“I will not, indeed! It wasn’t my fault!”
“I should say not!” cried Paul. “That fellow was a dub!”
That was the only near approach to a collision, though the river was unusually crowded that morning. In a little while, however, the water traffic thinned out, and Cora did not have to devote so much attention to the wheel.
“Say, isn’t it time for lunch now?” demanded Walter, insinuatingly.
“It’s only eleven,” announced Belle, with a look at her wrist watch.
“That’s his regular feeding time—at least he’ll say so,” put in Jack, before his chum had a chance to answer.
“I had an early breakfast,” put in Walter in extenuation.
“Oh, well, give the child something,” laughed Bess, “and let us have peace!”
Sandwiches, cake and other things were brought out, set on a table which unfolded from the side of the boat, and the merry chatter was soon interspersed with periods of silence to allow a chance to eat.