It certainly was a novel viewpoint from which to estimate a damage of at least a thousand odd dollars. An absolutely unnecessary damage, at that—and to a yacht as smart and trim as they make ’em.
I couldn’t find it in me to agree with his enthusiasm, so I changed the subject.
“She runs very well under power,� I said.
“Doesn’t she?� came his hearty response. “A good, honest, mile-eating pace, which is not at all bad for an auxiliary. I think we ought to make Fire Island by some time after nightfall or thereabout, don’t you?�
“Fire Island!� I exclaimed. He had betrayed me into an expression of the genuine surprise I experienced, and he laughed easily as he went on:
“Exactly. I could scarcely continue in this fashion to Savannah, could I? And so, since you’re bound to know it sooner or later, I see no reason to avoid explaining a bit.�
“Now naturally,� and he smiled again, “I’ve got to find some cove to lie in while I refit. Of course, those masts are going to be pretty short and stumpy when I restep them; but with reefs tied in, and engine going, too, I guess we can be on our way again well within a week, eh?�
“But why not shift over to Greenport, and put two new sticks in her at the shipyard there?� I volunteered thoughtlessly.
His grin became broader than ever.
“I believe a little spot behind a couple of those low-lying islands in Great South Bay would suit me better; that is, under the circumstances.[Pg 46]�