To his astonishment, Harry grinned.
"Oh, well," he said, "but won't you get down under the mainboom before you go on? I don't want those fellows astern to see there are only two of us on board the sloop."
Frank did as he suggested, whereupon Harry waved his hand and smiled graciously.
"Now," he added, "you can go ahead."
Frank found it harder than he had expected. His anger was beginning to evaporate and Harry's good humor was embarrassing. Still, he made another effort.
"In the first place," he resumed, "there are just as smart and capable folks in Massachusetts as there are anywhere else."
"That's quite right," assented Harry. "I don't see why there shouldn't be, but I suppose you're not through yet. You want to call me down?"
"When you say things of that kind—you—" Frank stammered, and stopped when he observed his companion still smiling.
"Sure!" said Harry, "I ought to be pounded with the boathook if I'd meant them."
Frank gazed at him in bewilderment. "You didn't mean them?"