“Talking of boats,” Jack went on, “where do you suppose I could get one, George?”
“What do you want her for? There’s my dory. You can have that any time you want.”
“Thanks, George,” Jack replied. “But a dory isn’t just what I do want.”
Then he explained.
“I don’t know. I guess a boat like that, one you could use for a ferry, would cost money,” declared the other, when Jack had finished.
“I thought maybe, your father being a boat-builder, you might know of some way I could manage it,” said Jack. “There’s plenty of time, because it’s early in the season yet, and maybe I’ll find what I want somewhere.”
“If you do start the ferry I want to help. May I?” asked George.
“Why not?”
“You’ll be skipper and I’ll be mate,” said George, laughing.
“You mustn’t laugh at the captain—that is, not after you’re properly appointed mate—” said Jack, “or I’ll order you put in irons. That’s what they always do. Yes, laugh now, if you like, but wait till I’m your captain. But why wait? See here, George Santo, weren’t you making an application to me for a job just now?”