“One likes to know one’s neighbors,” returned the sailor, who was obstinate in his idea. “Tabor Island is our neighbor, and the only one! Politeness requires us to go at least to pay a visit.”
“By Jove,” said Spilett, “our friend Pencroft has become very particular about the proprieties all at once!”
“I am not particular about anything at all,” retorted the sailor, who was rather vexed by the engineer’s opposition, but who did not wish to cause him anxiety.
“Consider, Pencroft,” resumed Harding, “you cannot go alone to Tabor Island.”
“One companion will be enough for me.”
“Even so,” replied the engineer, “you will risk depriving the colony of Lincoln Island of two settlers out of five.”
“Out of six,” answered Pencroft; “you forget Jup.”
“Out of seven,” added Neb; “Top is quite worth another.”
“There is no risk at all in it, captain,” replied Pencroft.
“That is possible, Pencroft; but I repeat it is to expose ourselves uselessly.”