“And you couldn’t get out?”
“Nope.”
“Then what held you down?”
“Me ankle. It got twisted I guess,” Nicky reluctantly admitted.
“Does your ankle hurt?” asked Babs, solicitously.
“Not much it don’t. It’s gettin’ better.”
“But you didn’t spill my oil, son,” Captain Quiller assured him proudly. “I knowed you wouldn’t. Ain’t never failed me yet, Nick, you haven’t. An’ if you was older——”
“If he was older!” It was Babs who repeated the phrase. A sudden vision swept before her. The light, the harbor light belonged to the government. Nicky had risked his life to bring oil to the lighthouse keeper! And Nicky so badly needed government influence, for his father!
“Oh, Captain!” she gasped. “Isn’t Nicky really a hero?”
“Bettcher life he is!” replied the captain.