"No, I thank you; I am otherwise engaged," answered Nellie, as she retreated to the other side of the yacht.
"I say, Donald, let me come on board," asked Laud, who was desperately bent upon improving his acquaintance with Nellie Patterdale.
"Not now; you can come on board at the wharf."
Donald was resolute, and Laud, angry at his rebuff, filed away.
"Here is a man that wants to see you, Don John," shouted Laud, as he ran his boat up to the Maud again.
"I can't see him now," replied Donald.
Kennedy now came alongside in the skiff, bringing a warp-line from the shore, by which the Maud was hauled up to the wharf. The spectators went on board, and examined the work. Many of them crawled into the cabin and cook-room, and all of them were enthusiastic in their praise, though a few seasoned it with wholesome criticism. Some thought the cabin ought to be longer, evidently believing that it was possible to put a quart of water into a pint bottle; others thought she ought to be rigged as a schooner instead of a sloop, which was a matter of fancy with the owner; but all agreed that she was a beautiful yacht. In honor of the event, and to please the young people, Mr. Rodman had prepared a collation at his house, to which the members of the Yacht Club and others were cordially invited. Kennedy and the other men who worked on the Maud were included in the invitation, and the afternoon was to be a holiday. Laud Cavendish, who had moored the Juno and come on shore, liberally interpreted the invitation to include himself, and joined the party, though he was not a member of the club. Some people have a certain exuberance on the side of their faces, which enables them to do things which others cannot do.
"I want to see you, Don John," said Laud, as the party began to move from the wharf towards the mansion of Mr. Rodman.
"I'll see you this evening," replied Donald, who was anxious to gain a position at the side of Miss Nellie Patterdale.
"That will be too late. You saw the man in the Juno with me—didn't you?" continued Laud, proceeding to open his business.