"I been cronies with Toby, Bill," Jonathan went on, to Bill o' Burnt Bay, "ever since he was born. A ol' man like me plays with children. He've nothin' else t' do. An' I'm enjoyin' it out here at the ice with Toby. 'Tis a pleasure for a ol' man like me t' teach the young. An' I'm wonderful fond o' this here gran'son o' mine. Isn't I, Toby? Eh, lad?"
"That you is, gran'pa!" the lad agreed. "You been wonderful good t' me all my life long."
"Hear that, Bill!" Jonathan exclaimed.
The lad was mannerly and grave.
"I wisht, sir," said he, "that my conduct might win your praise."
And then Cap'n Saul called them aboard with a saucy toot of the whistle, as though they had been dawdling the day in pranks and play.
CAP'N SAUL CALLED THEM ABOARD