Ralph flashed the old man a sharp glance.
"What do you think, Tobias? Do you suppose Lorna really cared for the fellow?"
"Humph!" was the lightkeeper's non-committal reply.
"For I tell you what it is," the young man went on with earnestness. "I've been thinking a good deal about it lately——"
"Humph!" said Tobias again. "About it, or about her?"
"Why, confound you, Tobias Bassett, of course I mean I've been thinking of Lorna. And I think a whole lot of her. But she doesn't care enough about me——"
"Oh, sugar!" drawled Tobias. "I should say not. Risked her life and all. Would go with me in that motor-boat to get them life savers. Ran all the way to Upper Trillion when my old pumps plumb give out. No, no! Of course she don't think nothing at all about you, Ralph."
"Well——"
"And when she knowed for sure you was aboard that haddocker and it was in danger, she didn't get down on her knees and pray for you by name—oh, no! I cal'late I dreamed that!"
"Tobias!"