“Nothing!” he replied. “For I’m sure I have solved the problem.”
“How?”
“Two and two always make four. The first two is the fact that I once had a hobby of collecting coins, and I recognize many specimens; and I know that this one is not a part of the notorious Captain’s treasure.”
“And the other two?”
“That a certain person is fond of playing jokes.”
“I fear you know altogether too much.”
Jim laughed, but made no further comments. He did not always have such congenial people to “conduct”; and he was enjoying himself immensely.
“Gathering blueberries seems to be quite a business here,” observed Miss Ashton. “I have seen several old men and women with bowls, pitchers, or other containers; and many children with tin cups or pails.”
“It is,” answered Jim. “The people of all ages go out in berry season and gather all they can. A big truck makes the rounds of the scattered houses every day, and picks up the fruit. Most of it is then shipped from Yarmouth to Boston. The cargo of the steamer you go back on will be largely blueberries.”
“What are the winters like here?” inquired Miss Ashton. “Rather bleak, I should imagine.”