“I forgot,” Jack said, edging away. Before his father could reprimand him further, he disappeared in the direction of the boathouse.
Mr. Gandiss, a stout, pleasant man, was distressed by his son’s behavior. As he led the way to the house, he apologized so profusely that Penny and her father began to feel uncomfortable.
“Oh, boys will be boys,” Mr. Parker declared, trying to put an end to the discussion. “No harm was done.”
“We enjoyed the adventure,” added Penny sincerely. “It was a pleasure to meet Captain Barker and his daughter.”
Mr. Gandiss refused to abandon the subject.
“Jack worries me,” he confessed ruefully. “He’s sixteen now—almost seventeen, but in some respects he has no responsibility. He’s an only child, and I am afraid my wife and I have spoiled him.”
“Jack doesn’t seem to get along with Sally Barker very well,” Penny remarked, smiling at the recollection.
“That’s another thing,” nodded the island owner. “Sally is a fine girl and smart as a whip. Jack has the idea that because she isn’t the product of a finishing school, she is beneath notice. Sally likes to prick holes in Jack’s inflated ego, and then the war is on!”
“You have a fine son,” Mr. Parker said warmly. “He’ll outgrow all these ideas.”
“I hope so,” sighed Mr. Gandiss. “I certainly do.” His expression conveyed the impression that he was not too confident.