"Give way, then."
Both bent to their oars and rowed their best. But it was not long before Herbert began to draw away from his antagonist. He had not had as much practice as James, but he was stronger in the arms, and had paid more attention to Cameron"s instructions. He came in more than a dozen lengths ahead of his compet.i.tor.
"I"ve won the race, James," he said, with a smile.
"You ought to," said James, in a surly tone.
"I haven"t had as much practice as you."
"What if you haven"t? You"ve got a new boat, while mine is old and clumsy."
"If you think that makes any difference I"ll row back with you, changing boats."
"Agreed," said James. But James brought up the rear at about the same distance.
"Beaten again," said Herbert, pleased with his success.
"There"s nothing to crow about," said James, crossly. "Your boat is a good one but I"m not used to it."
"I am not much used to it myself. I only rowed in it yesterday for the first time."
"That"s long enough to get the hang of it. There isn"t much fun in rowing. I"d a good deal rather sail."
"I like both. There"s more exercise in rowing."
"Don"t you get exercise enough in hoeing potatoes?" asked James, with a sneer. "I shouldn"t think laborers would need any extra exercise."
"There"s some advantage in varying your exercise. There isn"t much fun in hoeing."
"No, I should think not."
"Are you going in?" asked Herbert, noticing that James was proceeding to fasten his boat.
"Yes, I"ve got tired of the water."
Herbert was not to be alone, however, for just then Mr. Cameron appeared on the bank.
"I think I"ll go out with you," he said.
"All right," said Herbert, with alacrity, as he rowed the boat to sh.o.r.e.
"Mr. Cameron," said our hero, "mother has asked me to invite you to take tea with us this evening."
"I shall be very glad to come," said Cameron.
"We live in humble style, you know," said Herbert, "but I told mother you wouldn"t mind that."
"Thank you for saying so. I shall be very glad to meet your mother, and expect to enjoy myself better than at Squire Leech"s table. It isn"t the style, but the company. Why is James going away so soon?"
"I have beaten him in two races," said Herbert.
"I am not surprised to hear of your success. You are really gaining very fast."
"I am glad of it. I want to be a good rower."
"It is a good thing to do well anything you undertake, whether it be rowing or anything else."
"James thinks I don"t need to row for exercise."
"Why not?"
"He thinks I shall get enough exercise in hoeing potatoes," answered Herbert, with a smile.
"It wouldn"t do him any harm to get exercise in the same way."
"The very idea would shock him."
CHAPTER XXVIII
MRS. CARTER"S GUEST
At five o"clock Mr. Cameron knocked at the door of Mrs. Carter"s cottage. It was opened by Herbert himself.
"Walk in, Mr. Cameron," he said, cordially. "My mother is in the next room."
Mrs. Carter was prepossessed in favor of Cameron. In worldly advantages he was her superior; yet with the instinct of a gentleman he seemed unconscious of any such difference and did not exhibit the least trace of condescension, as many ill-bred persons might have.
"I have wanted to see you, Mrs. Carter," he said. "As the mother of my professor, the desire was only natural."
"Herbert tells me he has learned a good deal since he has been reading to you. He has often spoken of his good fortune in meeting you."
"I feel equally fortunate in meeting him. Not every boy of his age would adapt himself as readily and intelligently as he has."
"I am very glad if you find Herbert of service to you," said Mrs.
Carter. "In all ways the engagement has been of advantage to him."
"Squire Leech was kind enough to offer me the services of his son, James," said Cameron, smiling.
"James would hardly have been willing to sacrifice so much of his time," said Herbert, "though he might be willing to try it for a day or two to supersede me."
"I think I shall have to worry along with my present professor," said Cameron, "and allow James to devote his superior talents to some other business."
The table was already spread in honor of the guest, and both Herbert and Mrs. Carter were gratified to find that the young collegian did ample justice to the meal.
"I feel almost ashamed of my appet.i.te," said Cameron; "but the change from the stereotyped bill of fare at the hotel is pleasant and gives the food an increased relish."