extra smirk.

"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; you are very kind; but perhaps I had better
not go."

"I should be delighted to have you go with me."

"I don't think you would enjoy it, Nellie," said Donald. "It blows
fresh, and the Juno is rather wet in a heavy sea."

Laud looked at him with an angry expression, and when Nellie turned away
from him, he made significant gestures to induce Donald to unsay what he
had said, and persuade her to go with him.

"I am sure you will be delighted with the sail, Miss Patterdale. You
will be perfectly dry where you are sitting; or, if not, I have a rubber
coat, which will protect you."

"I think I will not go," she replied, so coldly that her tones would
have frozen any one but a simpleton like Laud.

The passage was of brief duration, and Donald assisted Nellie up the
accommodation steps of the Penobscot, stepping forward in season to
deprive Laud of this pleasant office.

"I am much obliged to you, Mr. Cavendish," said she, walking away from
the steps.

"That was mean of you, Don John," muttered Laud, as Donald came down the
steps to assist in shoving off the Juno.

"What was mean?"

"Why, to tell Nellie she would not enjoy the sail with me."

"She could do as she pleased."

"But you told her the Juno was wet," added Laud, angrily.

"She is wet when it blows."

"No matter if she is. It was mean of you to say anything about it, after
all I have done for you."

"It wasn't mean to tell the truth, and save her from a ducking, and I
don't know what you have done for me."

"You don't? Didn't I buy this boat of you, and pay you fifty dollars
more than she is worth?"

"No, you didn't. But if you are dissatisfied with your bargain, I will
take her off your hands."

"You! I want the money I paid."

"You shall have it. Come to the shop after the race, and you may throw
up the trade."

"Will Captain Shivernock pay you back the money?" sneered Laud.

"I'll take care of that, if you want to give her up," added Donald,
warmly.

"Never mind that now. Can't you persuade Nellie to sail with me?"
continued Laud, more gently. "If you will, I will give you a five-dollar
bill."

Donald would have given double that sum rather than have had her go with
him, and she would have given ten times the amount to avoid doing so.

"I can't persuade her, for I don't think it is best for her to go,"
replied Donald.

"No matter what you think. You are a good fellow, Don John: do this