"That is too bad," he remarked. "I'm leaving town in a few days and wish to say good-bye."
Abner now remembered that it was this young man who had driven Jess home from the party, and surmised that it was she he was most anxious to see.
"Is there any way I can get over there?" Royden asked, as he looked off toward the island.
"I s'pose ye could swim," Abner replied, "but that wouldn't be very comfortable. If ye wait till I git that hay in I'll run ye over in the canoe. I'm to have supper with them, ye see. I would take ye in my little yacht, but she's layin' above the Pint, an' it 'ud take too long to bring her around."
"That will be fine," the surveyor replied. "Let me help with the hay, and we can soon get through."
"Did ye ever pitch hay?"
"I was brought up on a farm, and should know something about it."
"Sure, ye ought. Come on. There's a fork leanin' aginst the barn. Ye kin pitch on, if ye don't mind."
Abner liked this young man, and the skilful manner in which he worked won his heartiest approval. They became very friendly and talked as they worked.
"So ye'r goin' to leave, are ye?" Abner at length queried. "All through with ye'r work, eh?"