“Not I. But what on earth, or rather, on water, are you driving at? Where are you going? What’s the canoe for?”
“I am going a voyage. But I will tell you all when it is ready. Meantime, I rely on you to keep silence. The rest think the boat is for the river.”
“I will not say a word. But why did you not have a hide boat?”
“They are not strong enough. They can’t stand knocking about.”
“If you want to go a voyage (where to, I can’t imagine), why not take a passage on board a ship?”
“I want to go my own way. They will only go theirs. Nor do I like the company.”
“Well, certainly the sailors are the roughest lot I know. Still, that would not have hurt you. You are rather dainty, Sir Felix!”
“My daintiness does not hurt you.”
“Can’t I speak?” (sharply)
“Please yourself.”