“Certainly not; I am obliged,” said the captain quietly.
“He thinks, too, that you will find the best land in the river bottom.”
“Of course, of course,” said the captain. “Good-day, gentlemen; I am much obliged.”
“If you want any little service performed, pray send,” said the doctor; “we will execute any commission with pleasure.”
“I will ask you if I do,” said the captain; and the two young men raised their hats and drew back.
“Father doesn’t like men to be so civil,” said Man.
“No; he doesn’t like strangers,” whispered back Rifle.
“Of course he doesn’t,” said Tim, in the same low voice. “It wasn’t genuine friendliness.”
“What do you mean?” said Man.
“Why, they wouldn’t have been so full of wanting to do things for us if it had not been for the girls. They couldn’t keep their eyes off them.”