The boy’s suggestion to his mother was to “camp out” in the house until the next morning. There were preserved peaches and tinned baked beans in the pantry, to say nothing of oranges and pineapples on the place, and these Andy thought quite sufficient in the way of food. Then, on the following day, they would borrow Captain Anderson’s sailboat and go to Melbourne to lay in supplies.
This suggestion receiving no immediate objection, the boy began to exercise his growing energy in his attack on the disorderly floor of the big room. In the midst of this Captain Anderson stopped him.
“You can’t stay here,” explained the elder. “Your mother has agreed with us, and you’re going back to our house.”
A look of disappointment spread over the boy’s face. Then this changed as he turned to his mother.
“Then you ain’t goin’ to paint the house right away?”
“Not at once,” was the answer. “Captain Anderson has kindly offered to let us board with him for a few days until we hear from your father. Then, if he wants to sell the house, and we can’t do it at once, we may make arrangements to come here and live.”
Although it had been decided to return to Captain Anderson’s home, and the trunks were carried back to the boat at once, it was nearly noon before the party prepared to leave. Two hours were spent in looking over the grove and the pineapple field, and in a more careful survey of the house and its contents. Then Captain Anderson prepared to lock the house again.
“Don’t that road lead to your house?” asked Andy, who had been in new thought for some time, addressing the captain.
“Sure,” laughed Captain Anderson, “want to walk? It’s two miles.”
“Mother,” asked Andy, “do you mind if I stay here awhile? I’ll walk back.”