“He wants to, but—I guess it costs a good deal,” replied Faith.
“What costs a good deal, sis?” asked Jack as he and Hal returned to the sitting-room.
“An engine for the Crystal Spring,” explained his sister.
“Oh! Yes, it would cost a lot more than I could afford, I guess,” he said gloomily. “But I’ll either have to have one put in or give up. Those Lamprons can beat me every time. Isn’t supper ready yet? I’m starved to death!”
When, a few minutes later, Aunt Mercy summoned them to the little dining room, that supper proved worth waiting for. The visitors declared that they had never been so hungry and had never tasted things half so good, and Aunt Mercy was so pleased that she was positively wasteful with the barberry preserve!
“May I leave the launch here until I can get someone to come over and fix her up?” asked Hal.
“Yes,” Jack answered, “I’ll look after her. She’ll be all right. If I can find time in the morning I’ll get the water out of her. For that matter, maybe I can fix her up for you myself. I know a little about gas engines. I’ll have a look at her if you want me to.”
“I wish you would,” replied Hal gratefully.