Then he proposed, grudgingly: "A committee of two girls might go, if they're sure they'll keep out of the way when we're working.

Just two! Which of the young ladies ought we to take, Mr.Prescott ?" "Why, I believe Miss Bentley and Miss Meade will be as satisfactory a committee as can be chosen," Dick smiled.
Some of the girls frowned their disappointment at being left out, but others clapped their hands.

Laura and Belle stepped on the scow's platform.
"I wouldn't try to go, if I were you, Dan," urged.

Dick, as young Dalzell stepped forward to board the scow.
"I'm all right," Dan insisted.
"Sure you're all right ?" questioned Hiram Driggs, eyeing Danny Grin's wobbly figure.
"Of course I am," Dan protested, though he spoke rather weakly.
"Then there's a more important job for you," declared Mr.Driggs.
"Stay here on the float with the rest of the young ladies, and explain to them just what you see us doing out yonder." There was the sound of finality about the boat builder's voice, kindly as it was.
"Cast off," ordered Driggs, taking the tiller.

"Tune up that engine and give us some headway." Clara Marshall was thoughtful enough to run back and get a chair, which she brought down to the float and placed behind Dalzell.
"Sit down," she urged.
"Thank you," said Dan gratefully, "but I didn't need a chair." Nevertheless the high school girls persuaded him to be seated.
"I---I wasn't drowned, you know," Dan protested as he sat down.
"No; but you got a little water into your lungs," responded one of the girls.