"Just so."
"Well?"
"John Richards's brother--that is all. We want to know if you will let us stay out in the old schooner for a while. We will try to be particular and not harm the vessel."
"How long shall you want to be gone?"
"Oh, two or three days and nights."
"Humph! Well, you can't have any fire on board. Got a boat?"
"Yes, sir."
"Of course, for you can't wade out to her. Put it out there on purpose so folks couldn't paddle and wade out to her, such as tramps, you know. Well, if you have a boat you can cook on shore."
"Yes, sir."
"You may have a lantern at night. No objection to that."