"All right, Grit. I'm very glad to do you a favor."
"Are you sure it is my boat Phil had?" asked Grit, still unwilling to believe that Phil had deliberately taken his boat.
"Yes, I know your boat as well as my own. Besides, there was the name, Water Lily, on it, as plain as day. There is no doubt about it."
"Well," said Grit, closing his lips firmly, "all I can say is, I'll make him pay for the use of the boat, or there'll be trouble."
"You won't challenge him, will you, Grit?" asked Jesse, smiling.
"That's just what I will do. I should be justified in thrashing him, without notice, but I will give him a chance to defend himself."
"If you want a second, call on me," said Jesse. "I don't like Phil any better than you do, and I shan't object to seeing his pride humbled. It's bad for your business, having the boat taken."
"Yes, I shall lose the chance of two passengers who wanted to go across to Portville an hour from now."
"You may use my boat for that, Grit."