"This is Ginger McAfee," said Greg.
"Another nickname! And a good one! You look gingery!"
The delighted Ginger could only grin and wag his head from side to side like an imbecile school-boy.
"Blossom," said Greg coming to the end. "Nobody knows his other name."
"Billups," said Blossom in a voice so sepulchral they all had to laugh, and their embarrassment was much relieved.
"How do you do, Mr. Billups," said Amy. "Don't mind if we laugh at your name. We like you none the less for it."
"You have another friend here, Pa Simmons," said Greg. "He's away on your job to-night. You'll have to meet him another time."
At this point Bessie coughed as a hint that it was time for the men to go. But Ginger McAfee stepped forward to the extreme edge of the linoleum and cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, Miss," said he, "but us fellows made up something we wanted to say to you, and they picked on me to put it over, because they said I got the tongue of a ready speaker. But it ain't much to say. It's just this. Without wishing to pry into your private affairs at all we heard that you was up against it like. I mean that you had undertaken the job of putting a gang of crooks where they belong. Well, what we want to say is, if we could help we'd jump at the chance, that's all. If you need a man or a gang to back you up, try us. Us and our boats is yours to command!"
Amy was touched. Her eyes were misty as she replied simply: "Thank you, Ginger, and all of you. It's sweet to find friends. I shan't forget you."