"Now, Tobias Bassett! it behooves us to make money while we may. We ain't gettin' any younger."
"I agree with you," said her brother. "And I don't believe we'll be wickedly overburdened with all the money you make out of this Degger feller."
For Tobias had judged fairly accurately that young man's idiosyncrasies. There was nothing of the spendthrift about Mr. Conway Degger.
CHAPTER VIII
PHILOSOPHY AND OTHER THINGS
Tobias Bassett was a social soul and the "boarder," as he insisted upon calling the young man he had rescued from the motor-boat, was not tongue-tied. Get Degger set on a course, as Tobias termed it, relating to his own exploits, and the young fellow became more than voluble.
The lightkeeper and Miss Heppy certainly were surprised to learn that their visitor was acquainted with the Nicholets.
"You don't mean to tell me that that is the Nicholets' summer home up on that bluff? That first one yonder?" said the young man.
"That's it," replied Tobias, sitting on the bench beside the lighthouse door to smoke an after-supper pipe. "I see the storm shutters are down. They'll be coming soon, I cal'late."
"And Miss Lorna comes here every summer? A charming girl."