‘Don’t distress yourself,’ exclaimed Daphne, jumping up and stepping briskly out of her boat. ‘I am going to change the name of my boat, and I thought I could do it this morning as a surprise for Lina; but it was a more difficult business than I supposed. And now I must run home as fast as I can, and make myself tidy for breakfast. My father is the essence of punctuality.’ ‘But as half-past eight is his breakfast hour you need not be in a desperate hurry. It has only just struck six. Will you come for a stroll?’ ‘No, thank you. I have ever so much to do before breakfast.’ ‘Czerny’s “Studies of Velocity”?’ ‘No.’ ‘French grammar?’ ‘No.’ ‘Be sure you are ready to start directly after breakfast.’ Daphne scampered off through the wet grass, leaving Mr. Goring standing by the boat-house door, looking down with an amused smile at the mutilated name. CHAPTER X. ‘AND SPENDING SILVER HAD HE RIGHT YNOW.’ At ten o’clock Daphne was down at the boat-house again, ready for the aquatic excursion, looking as fresh and bright as if nothing had ever occurred to vex her. She wore a workmanlike attire of indigo serge—no gay fluttering scarlet ribbons this time. Her whole costume was studiously plain, from the sailor hat to the stout Cromwell shoe and dark blue stocking, the wash-leather glove and leathern belt with a broad steel buckle. Madoline’s flowing muslin skirts and flowery hat contrasted charmingly with her sister’s more masculine attire. ‘This looks like business,’ said Gerald, as Bink ran the boat into the water, and held her while the ladies stepped on board. ‘Now, Daphne, whichever of us gets tired first must forfeit a dozen pairs of gloves.’ ‘I think it will be you, from the look of you,’ returned Daphne, as she rolled up her sleeves and took hold of an oar in an off-hand waterman-like manner. ‘When you are tired I’ll take the sculls.’ ‘Well, you see I am likely to be in very bad form. It is four years since I rowed in the ‘Varsity race.’ ‘What, you rowed in the great race? What affectation to talk about being in bad form. I should think a man could never forget training of that kind.’ ‘He can never forget the theory, but he may feel the want of practice. However, I fancy I shall survive till we get to Goring Lane, and that you’ll win no gloves to-day. I suppose you never wear anything less than twelve buttons?’ ‘Madoline gives me plenty of gloves, thank you,’ replied Daphne with dignity. ‘My glove-box is not supported by voluntary contributions.’ ‘Daphne, do you know that for a young woman who is speedily to become my sister you are barely civil?’ said Gerald. ‘I beg your pardon, I am practising a sisterly manner. I never met with a brother and sister yet who were particularly civil to each other.’