then each can judge of the other's claim to superiority?"

"My claim has never been justly established," said Ruth. "I have never
allowed any one to usurp my oars."

"As yet," corrected Kemp. "Then will you wrap something about you and come
down to the river?"

"Certainly she will," answered her mother; "run in and get some wraps,
Ruth."

"You will come too, Mamma?"

"Of course; but considering Dr. Kemp's length, a third in your little boat
will be the proverbial trumpery. Still, I suppose I can rely on you two
crack oarsmen, though you know the slightest tremble in the boat in the
fairest weather is likely to create a squall on my part."

If Dr. Kemp wished to row, he should row; and since the Jewish Mrs. Grundy
was not on hand, anything harmlessly enjoyable was permissible.

Ruth went indoors. This was certainly something she had not bargained for.
How could her mother be so blind as not to know or feel her desire to evade
Dr. Kemp? She felt a positive contempt for herself that his presence
should affect her as it did; she dared not look at him lest her heart
should flutter to her eyes. Probably the display amused him. What was she
to him anyway but a girl with whom he could flirt in his idle moments?
Well (with a passionate fling of her arms), she would extinguish her
uncontrollable little beater for the nonce; she would meet and answer every
one of his long glances in kind.