"
"Oh," said Tom faintly, and he wondering what would be the best
remark to make under the circumstances, when Miss Nestor created a
diversion by looking at her watch and exclaiming:
"Oh, girls, it's lunch time! We must go ashore. Will you kindly
put about, Mr. Swift--I hope that is the proper term--and--land
us--is that right?" and she looked archly at Tom.
"That's perfectly right," he admitted with a laugh and a glance
into the girl's brown eyes. "I'll put you ashore at once," and he
headed for a small dock.
"And come yourself to take lunch with us, added Miss Haddon.
"I'm afraid I might be in the way," stammered Tom. "I--I have a
pretty good appetite, and--"
"I suppose you think that girls on a picnic don't take much
lunch," finished Miss Nestor. "But I assure you that we have
plenty, and that you will be very welcome," she added warmly.
"Yes, and I'd like to have him explain over again how the engine
works," went on Miss Haddon. "I am so interested."
Tom helped the girls out, receiving their thanks as well as those
of the children in the second boat. But as he walked with the
young ladies through the grove the young inventor registered a
mental vow that he would steer clear of explaining again how a
gasoline engine worked.
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