“Of course we will,” answered Mr. Pennimore. “We’ll take Dan out and get him seasick. That’ll be fun, won’t it?”
Gerald laughed enjoyably, but Dan looked a little doubtful.
“Do you think I’ll be seasick?” he asked anxiously. But Mr. Pennimore assured him that he wouldn’t as the water was perfectly calm and the Princess was a pretty big boat. They walked down to the pier. The big white steam yacht was lying bow-to a little distance away and Dan studied her with a new interest. He had never thought to set foot on her and he was so excited over the prospect that he hardly knew what was set before him when, half an hour later, they were seated at the table in the big sun-bathed dining room.
“By the way,” said Mr. Pennimore in the course of luncheon, “I’ve been inquiring about that railroad, Dan. I’ll have a full report on it to-morrow or Tuesday and I’ll let you know the next time I see you what can be done. I think, though, that I shall be able to persuade the directors that a new survey taking in—what’s the name of that place?”
“Graystone, sir?”
“Yes, Graystone. That a new survey taking in Graystone will be advisable.”
“Thank you,” murmured Dan. “I wish you wouldn’t trouble about it, though, Mr. Pennimore. It—it doesn’t matter.”
“Oh, but it does. I—er—recall your father now, Dan; we had some correspondence a few years ago. He is a very admirable man, my boy, and if I can do him a small favor I shall be glad to, especially since it will indirectly bring satisfaction to you.”
Then Gerald cut in and demanded to know what they were talking about and explanations followed.
Dan isn’t likely to forget that Sunday afternoon for a good while. At three they were taken aboard the Princess in a little gasoline tender that was a marvel of mahogany and gleaming brass, and from the time he reached the top of the steps and set foot on the immaculate deck until the short cruise was over and the anchor chain was once more roaring through the hawsehole he was in a constant state of wonderment and delight. And Gerald enjoyed it all even more. It wasn’t often he had the fun of showing off the yacht to anyone, and here was a person who had never even seen such a craft save at a distance. He lugged Dan tirelessly from one end of the long deck to the other, down into the saloon, forward to the forecastle and the galley to the engine room, up to the wheel-house and back to the chart-room and the state-rooms and all the other places. He opened cupboards and exhibited conveniences until Dan became convinced that the only necessity or luxury not provided on board the Princess was a football field!