Halbert looked after him, enviously, as he rowed the boat out into the
stream. He had asked his father to buy him a boat, but the
superintendent's speculations had not turned out very well of late, and
he had been deaf to his son's persuasions, backed, though they were, by
his mother's influence. When Halbert heard that William Paine was going
to boarding school, he decided to ask him for the loan of his boat
during his absence, as the next best thing. Now, it seemed that he had
been forestalled, and by the boy he hated. He resolved to see young
Paine himself, and offer him two dollars for the use of his boat during
the coming term. Then he would have the double satisfaction of using the
boat and disappointing Robert.

He made his way to the house of Squire Paine, and, after a brief pause,
was admitted, He was shown into the parlor, and Will Paine came down to
see him.

"How are you, Davis?" he said, nodding, coolly, but not offering his
hand.

"I hear you are going to boarding school?"

"Yes; I go to-morrow."

"I suppose you won't take your boat with you?"

"No."

"I'll give you two dollars for the use of it; the next three months?"

"I can't accept your offer. Robert Bashton is to have it."