"If you will be so kind," I answered.
The necessary manœuvre was thereupon executed, and presently the two yachts lay less than half a mile apart.
"What a lovely craft that is," said Janet, who had just come on deck and was watching her with increasing admiration.
"That is the Lone Star," said Alie, putting her arm round Janet's waist in her usual affectionate manner. "The boat which is to carry us to our home, dear Janet! May you be as happy on board as I have been."
"I think," I said, taking the opportunity of a pause in their conversation to make a practical suggestion, "if you ladies will allow me to say such a thing, it would be as well if we facilitated our transhipping by getting our luggage ready. If I mistake not, Patterson is piping a couple of boats away even now!"
I was right, for as we looked the boats were descending from the port davits.
"George is ever practical, is he not, Alie?" said Janet in a teasing tone. "I fear there is not much romance in his constitution!"
"I am not quite so sure of that," said Alie, with a roguish glance at me, "and, all things considered, I think I may claim to be a very good judge."
"If I am to get the worst of it in this fashion," retorted Janet, with a great pretence of anger, "I shall go below and look after my luggage."
"Let us all go," said Alie, and down we accordingly went.