“Well, you’re a plucky pair,” replied the other admiringly. “I wouldn’t make that trip again in that boat of yours for a lot of money. That reminds me, by the way.” He went to a locker and brought forth a purse. “We’d better settle while we think of it. There’s one thing, though, I would like to know,” he went on, smiling at Toby as he counted out the money. “Why did you ask forty-five dollars instead of fifty? Just how did you arrive at that figure? It’s puzzled me ever since.”
Toby hesitated. Then: “I needed forty-five, sir, and I thought it wouldn’t be too much to ask.”
“It wasn’t! Not a cent! All right. Here you are then, but I’d just as leave make it fifty—er—what’s your name, by the way?”
“Mine’s Tucker, and his is Deering.”
“Good names, both. My friend’s name there is Loring, and mine——”
“Is Pennimore,” supplied Arnold.
“Yes, but how did you know?” asked the other in surprise.
“I’ve seen you a good many times, sir, around Yardley.”
“Oh, you’re a Yardley Hall fellow, eh? Well met, Deering! So am I. That is, I used to be. Loring’s another. Funny to meet you chaps like this. Hear that, Alf? These fellows are Yardley chaps! Or one of them is. How about you, Tucker?”
“I’m entering this year, sir.”