"Certainly," agreed Mr. Graham, "and if, while we are here, I or any of my lads can be of service to you, don't hesitate to ask."
"How long do you propose staying here?" asked Mr. Collinson.
Mr. Graham looked up sharply. He fancied he saw a twinkle in the questioner's eye.
"Until the end of August, I hope."
"Is there any reason why you should not alter your plans?" continued the persistent inquisitor.
"'Man proposes——'" quoted the Scoutmaster.
"Quite so," agreed Mr. Collinson. "I too have a proposal to make. As I remarked before, my wife and I have been talking things over. We feel that we are greatly in your debt for what you have done for us, and we wish to make some sort of acknowledgment of our gratitude."
"But——" protested Mr. Graham.
"Let me have my say," persisted the other. "My proposition is this: I have a nine-ton yawl, the Spindrift, lying at Bude, on the north coast of Cornwall. I don't suppose I'll ever sail her again now I have the Ocean Bride. I'm not particularly keen on selling her. If I advertise her there are pages and pages of correspondence before the deal's completed—and I hate writing business letters. So what do you say to this? I will hand her over absolutely to the 9th Southend Sea Scouts, but you must navigate her round either to the Solent or else the East Coast, whichever you prefer."
"I'll be only too pleased to accept your kind offer," said Mr. Graham.