"Can't you go alone?"
"No, but you can," he replied, with a winning smile, which was doubtless intended to lure me into the trap he had set for me. "There are some beautiful swamp flowers a short distance from the shore, and I wish to get a bouquet for Miss Collingsby."
"Can't one carry the bouquet alone?" I asked.
"You are a stout fellow; possibly you could," laughed he. "If you will go, I will tell you where to find the flowers."
"If you know, it would be better for you to go, and I will clear away the dinner things while you are gone."
"We must pull the tender out of the water when we land, and I don't think I can do it alone. I want to turn it over, and get the dirty water out of it, for it really is not fit for a lady to get into. Miss Collingsby says she is not afraid to stay alone for a few moments."
"Very well; if you will stay on board and put away the dishes, I will go on shore alone," I replied, moved to give this answer by a whispered suggestion from Miss Marian.
"All right; but can you turn the boat over alone?"
"Certainly I can; that boat don't weigh more than seventy-five pounds."
Miss Collingsby immediately came on deck, and went to the side where the tender was lying.