"But you want it yourself?"

"No. Haven't you heard the news? I'm going to boarding school."

"You are?"

"It's a fact. I'm packing my trunk now. Come upstairs, and superintend
the operation."

"I can't stay long. But, Will, are you in earnest about the boat?"

"To be sure I am. I was meaning to ask you if you'd take care of it for
me. You see, I can't carry it with me, and you are the only fellow I am
willing to lend it to."

"I shall be very glad of the chance, Will. I've been wanting a boat for
a long time, but there wasn't much chance of my getting one. Now I
shall feel rich. But isn't this a sudden idea, your going to school?"

"Rather. There was a college classmate of father's here last week, who's
at the head of such a school, and he made father promise to send me. So
I'm to start to-morrow morning. If it wasn't for that, and being up to
my ears in getting ready, I'd go out fishing with you."

"I wish you could."

"I must wait till vacation. Here is the boat key."

Robert took the key with satisfaction. The boat owned by his friend was
a stanch, round-bottomed boat, of considerable size, bought only two