"We're all wonderful sorry!" and Mrs. Twig brushed away a tear.
"Some day," said Charley, his heart full, "I'll come back to see you, and perhaps I'll bring Dad with me to show him how good you people are, and how we live in a real wilderness."
"I'll be puttin' you over in the punt to the mail boat," said Toby, reluctant to bid Charley farewell.
They all went down to the landing to see him off, Skipper Zeb, Mrs. Twig and Violet. He sat in the stern of the punt, as he did on the day Toby took him ashore, while Toby rowed him alongside and helped him on deck with his baggage, and then the boys grasped each other's hands in farewell.
"'Twere the finest winter I ever has—with you here," and Toby's choking voice would permit him to say no more.
"It was the finest winter I ever spent, too," and Charley was little less moved than Toby.
"The ship's movin'. Good-bye!" and Toby hurried down the ladder and into his boat.
Charley stood at the rail watching Toby row his old punt back, until the ship passed into the tickle and shut from view Toby, the rocky hillside, the clinging cabins and Skipper Zeb with Mrs. Twig and Violet at the landing still waving their farewell to him.
"Where you going?" the steward's question met Charley as he turned from the rail.
"To St. John's. Don't you know me? I'm Charley Norton who came down with you last fall."