“We can someday, when we are old enough,” Garry said. “But the only way we could get around having to go back now would be for Captain Eaton to adopt us.”
“Say, that’s the answer!” Patch replied excitedly. “Why don’t we ask him?”
“I don’t think it’s as easy as that, Patch. In the first place, I don’t think we should ask him. He knows how much we like the Carefree, and he may have thought of adoption. But he should be the one who suggests it.”
“Maybe we could drop a hint or something,” Patch said.
“I don’t think they’d let him adopt us, Patch. Don’t forget, when they find out where we are, they’ll think we stowed away aboard the Orion, and that would ruin any chances we might have had.”
“But we didn’t deliberately stow away!” Patch protested.
“I know that, but how can we get them to believe us? I don’t think they’d even consider adoption at this time, and I think Captain Eaton must feel that way too.”
Patch sighed. “Maybe later, then. Maybe someday Captain Eaton will want us back. Gosh, I hate to leave here, though.”
“Life won’t be the same any more,” Garry said. “Nothing can ever be as exciting as the adventure we’ve had.”
They heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Captain Eaton coming their way. Missing now was his usual sunny smile. He carried a piece of paper in his hand.