"I guess I know more about this place than you do," I cried angrily. "You
come with me and I'll show you fish."
"Too sunny, isn't it?" he asked.
"Not for where I mean."
"Got an extra rod?"
"Yes; you can take my split bamboo--if you won't go and bust it."
"All right; if I break it I'll buy you another. Fish from the bank, do you?
or shall I put boots on?"
"Boots. Got any?"
"Yes. I'll go up and put them on. Take those books off with you, please.
You won't have time for studying before night."
"I won't then, either," I said.
"Well, anyhow, we won't leave them here. Let's keep the shop looking
ship-shape. By the way, it's a bit late, isn't it? How about lunch?"
"Take some grub with us. I'll tell Annie to put some up. I'll meet you on
the steps in ten minutes."
"All right; I'll be there. Er--Raymond!"
"Huh?" said I.
"You've forgotten the books."
"Oh, let 'em wait."
"All right." He sat down at the desk again.
"Ain't you going fishing?" I asked.
"No. I think not," he answered. "Somehow, while those books are here I feel
that we ought to stay at home and study. I dare say the fish will be there
to-morrow as well as to-day, eh?"
"Oh, all right," I said sulkily. "Only you can't make me study, you know."
I sat down and put my hands in my pockets. I looked at him out of the
corners of my eyes. He didn't seem to have heard me.
"Let's see," he said after a moment. "How many lines were we to have in
this?"
"I don't remember," I growled. Then I jumped up and grabbed the books. "You
make me sick," I said. "I'm going fishing."