She knew something about
fancy tackle, and this outfit of the young man, she knew, never cost a
penny less than a hundred dollars.
"And this sloop, which is his property," she thought, "is another
expensive possession. I can see where his money goes--when he has any
to spend. He is absolutely improvident. Too bad."
She had to keep reminding herself, it seemed, of Lawford Tapp's most
glaring faults. Improvidence and a hopeless leaning toward
extravagance were certainly unforgivable blemishes in the character of
a young man in the position she believed Lawford held.
The sport of chumming for snappers, even if they hooked more of
sluggish fluke than of the gamier fish to tempt which the chopped bait
is devoted, was so exciting that Betty, sailing the sloop, overlooked a
pregnant cloud that streaked up from the horizon almost like a puff of
cannon smoke.
The squall was upon them so suddenly that Louise could not wind in her
line in good season. Lawford was quicker; but in getting his tackle
inboard he was slow to obey Betty's command:
"Let go that sheet! Want to swamp us, foolin' with that fancy fish
rod?"
"Aye, aye, skipper!" he sang out, laughing, and jumped to cast off the
line in question just as the sail bulged taut as a drumhead with the
striking squall.
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