"But it's fine out there, and it's always fine to get back, isn't it, Jimmy?"
"Aye, 'tis that!" declared Jimmy.
"But it makes me feel lonesome already," said Bobby, returning to the original proposition, "to think that I won't see you and Skipper Ed for so long."
"What's this I hear? Lonesome for Partner and me?" asked Skipper Ed, who had finished with the boat and, coming up behind the boys, overheard Bobby's remark.
"Yes," said Bobby, "at the fishing."
"Well, well, now, isn't that strange!" ejaculated Skipper Ed. "I was thinking the same way, and Abel was thinking that way, too, and we've been talking it over!"
"Jimmy and I think 'twould be fine if we could all fish together," continued Bobby.
"So were we! So were we! A strange coincidence!" declared Skipper Ed. "And Abel thinks it might be arranged."
"Oh, can it? Can it?" and the boys jumped to their feet.
"I don't know," and Skipper Ed's face assumed a long and gloomy expression as he seated himself upon the rock. "There's one thing in the way and I couldn't consent."