We were meaning to send a formal
invitation. But no one stands on ceremony on the river--or in it either,"
she laughed to herself as she swam away with swift, even strokes.
"I shouldn't have asked him in that way," she explained to her brother
afterwards, "if he hadn't been rather shy. One must be nice to
foreigners, and dear Dickie's society undiluted would bore me to
extinction."
"I don't think we had better give him a knife at dinner," remarked
Bertie. "I shouldn't like you to be scalped, darling. It would ruin your
prospects. I suppose my only course would be to insist upon his marrying
you forthwith."
"Bertie, you're a beast!" said his sister tersely.
* * * * *
"We have taken you at your word, you see," sang out Dick Culver from his
punt. "I hope you haven't thought better of it by any chance, for my
friend has been able to think of nothing else all day."
A slim white figure danced eagerly out of the tiny dining-saloon of the
house-boat.
"Come on board!" she cried hospitably. "The Badger will see to your punt.
I am glad you're not late."
She held out her hand to the new-comer with a pretty lack of ceremony. He
looked more than ever like a backwoodsman, but it was quite evident that
he was pleased with his surroundings. He shook hands with her almost
reverently, and smiled in a quiet, well-satisfied way.
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