"Right-oh!" Tom answered. "I'll lead Jane, and come with you in the buggy." He helped her in, and they jogged back along the esplanade. "Are you very done up, my girl?"
"Oh, a little bit tired," she said. "I think it's more from fear than anything else."
"Well, you had no reason to be afraid," he said. "Your job was all right. I was proud of you! But it wasn't an easy thing to tackle. However, none of us need worry now when we break an odd limb or two: all we have to do is to get as comfortable as possible, light a pipe, and wait for you!"
"If you dare——!" said his wife, laughing.
"Why not? But apart from joking, Aileen, our 'Possum has been having adventures. They told me about it when I was waiting for you at the wharf." He told her the story of the wrecked boat.
"And where is she now?" Aileen asked anxiously. "Is she ill?"
"Her feet and legs are pretty painful, they said. But she wouldn't see a doctor, or stay in Cuninghame; and her father was better, so he took her home yesterday."
"I must go over and see if I can do anything," Aileen said decidedly.
"Well, I thought you'd like to. But are you fit for it, dear?"
"I shall be quite all right, especially when I have some tea!" she said. "Tea is the one thing my soul craves for."