“All names I like you don’t,” said Toby as they ascended the lane to Harbor Street. “Why don’t you do the way we did with the Turnover? Knock off the first and last letters, I mean.”
Arnold stared blankly. “Knock off—— But we haven’t got any letters yet, you idiot!”
“That’s so,” replied Toby demurely. “Let’s go to the postoffice.”
Arnold swung about obediently before he thought to ask, “What for?”
“To get some letters,” said Toby.
Arnold tried to reach him with the toe of one water-stained white buckskin shoe, but was foiled by Toby’s agility, and they went on again. “There was a yawl I knew once called Saucy Sal,” observed Arnold presently.
“How well did you know her?” asked Toby.
“You’re too bright for anything today!” said the other, in a grieved tone. “If you’re so smart why don’t you think of a name for me?”
“I didn’t know you wanted one. I can think of several,” said Toby significantly, “but you mightn’t like them.”
“I mean for the boat, you chump! It’ll be ready to launch before we know it, and you just can’t launch a boat without a name!”