CHAPTER XXI
ROWING
The little boat touched its moorings.
“Mr. Cameron,” said Herbert, “allow me to introduce to you the owner ofthe boat, Mr. James Leech.”
“Mr. Leech,” said Cameron, “I have to apologize for taking your boatwithout leave. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting for it.”
If the young collegian had not been the son of a wealthy man, whosesocial position was higher than his own, James would not so readilyhave accepted the apology. As it was, he said, graciously: “Oh it’s nomatter. I’m glad you took the boat. How beautifully you row!”
“Thank you for the compliment. Last year I belonged to the Sophomorecrew at Yale.”
“I wish I could row as well as you.”
“It is a matter of practice. If I can give you any hints I shall be gladto do so.”
“Thank you,” said James, eagerly. “Would you have time this afternoon?”
“Yes, I have an hour to spare. If you and my friend Herbert will getinto the boat and row out a little way, I shall get an idea of yourstyle of rowing.”
“I would rather row out alone,” said James, haughtily, with adisparaging look at Herbert.
“Unfortunately that won’t do as well. You must learn to row with one oarfirst.”
“Then suppose you get into the boat with me.”
“That won’t do as well. I am much heavier than you. Now you and Herbertare about the same weight.”
“Very well, then,” said James, and turning to Herbert, he said,ungraciously: “Will you row with me?”
“If you desire it,” said Herbert.
“Get in, then.”
When they returned Cameron made some criticisms Upon their rowing. Theystarted out again but Herbert profited better by the instructions he hadreceived and the young collegian said so when they returned.
James was far from liking this and when Cameron asked him if he wouldtry another row he answered: “No, I am tired of it.”
“If you get tired so soon, I am afraid you will have to strengthen yourarms by gymnastic exercises.”
“Oh, I am not tired. I don’t feel like rowing.”
“Then suppose we walk back to the village. Does your way lie with ours?”
“Nearly all the way,” said James.
He enjoyed the idea of walking with the collegian, but it was rathera drawback that Herbert was to share that pleasure with him. Still hecould not very well suggest that Herbert should leave them.
“Have you seen my father’s house?” asked James.
“Perhaps, without knowing whose it was.”
“You couldn’t help knowing it. It is the best in the village,” saidJames, pompously.
Cameron looked at him curiously.
“If he comes to Yale,” he thought, “and puts on these airs, he’ll betaken down without ceremony.”
“Oh, indeed!” he said aloud, dryly.
“Are you going to stay here long?” asked James.
“I can’t say how long. I am here for my health.”
“You must come and see us. My father will be very glad to see you. Myaunt has written us about you.”
“Indeed! May I ask your aunt’s name?”
“Her name is Davenport--Mrs. John Davenport. She lives in New Haven.”
“Oh, yes, I have met her.”
Cameron smiled to himself. The lady referred to was not unlike herbrother and nephew, being pompous and presuming--one, indeed, whom hesecretly disliked.
“She wants me to prepare for Yale,” said James.
“Of course we Yale men are biased, but we think no student can do betterthan to come to Yale.”
“My father wants me to be a professional man--a lawyer.”
“A good profession. Do you think you should like it?”
“Yes,” said James, complacently. “It’s a very genteel profession.Besides, most of our public men are lawyers. I might stand a chance toget into public life.”
“Should you like it?”
“Yes, I should like to be a member of Congress. My father has a gooddeal of influence and I am his only son, so I should have a very goodchance; don’t you think so?”
“It would seem so,” said Cameron, with a quiet smile. “I think you hadbetter come to Yale. You would be improved in many ways.”
He referred to the possibility of James having some of the self-conceittaken out of him; but then the squire’s son interpreted the remark as acompliment. “Have you ever thought of going to college, Herbert?” askedCameron, turning to our hero.
“I always thought I should like to go,” answered Herbert, “but I neverthought there was any chance of it.”
James laughed scornfully.
“No, I should think not,” he said.
“Why?” asked Cameron, meaning to draw him out.
“He’s too poor,” said James.
“You, I suppose, have no trouble in that way?”
“My father is the richest man in Wrayburn.”
“That is lucky for you,” said the collegian.
“I shouldn’t like to be as poor as Carter.”
“It isn’t pleasant or convenient to be poor,” said Herbert, quietly. “Idon’t mean always to be poor.”
“You probably will be,” said James. “Poor boys don’t always stay poor.”
“There isn’t much chance for you to rise.”
“I don’t know why,” said Herbert.
“Then it seems, Herbert,” said Cameron, smiling, “there is not muchchance of my welcoming you at Yale.”
“I wish there was.”
“So you will have to be content with serving as my professor here.”
James did not understand this allusion, but privately wondered howCameron could talk so intimately with a boy in Herbert’s low socialposition.
“I turn off here,” he said. “That is our house.”
“Is it?” said Cameron, indifferently.
“Your friend seems to have a very vain idea of his high position,” saidCameron, when James was out of hearing.
“And a very low idea of mine,” added Herbert.
“Does that disturb you?”
“A little. He carries it so far as to be annoying.”
“Circumstances may change with you both.”
“I hope they may with me,” said Herbert. “I don’t want James to comedown in the world, but I hope to rise.”
The next day Cameron was honored by a special call from Squire Leech,who left an invitation for the young collegian to take tea with him thefollowing afternoon. This invitation Cameron accepted.
Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son Page 21
