Fred then went to show the immense blessing that mission ships had already been to the North Sea fishermen—alike to their souls and bodies; but we may not follow him further, for Bob Lumsden and Pat Stiver claim individual attention just now.
When these enterprising heroes observed that the shades of evening were beginning to fall, they rose to take their leave.
“Why so soon away, lads?” asked Fred.
“We’re goin’ to see Eve Mooney,” answered Bob. “Whatever are the boys goin’ to do wi’ them thick sticks?” exclaimed Martha Lockley.
“Fit main an fore masts into a man-o’-war, I suppose,” suggested her husband.
The boys did not explain, but went off laughing, and Lockley called after them—
“Tell Eve I’ve got a rare lot o’ queer things for her this trip.”
“And give her my dear love,” cried Mrs Fred Martin.
“Ay, ay,” replied the boys as they hurried away on their self-imposed mission.