"There can be no question about the ownership of this pup," persisted Gray. "Of course, I am[155] sorry if you really think you discovered the dog. Because you didn't."
"I did discover him," she said, calmly.
"I beg your pardon. I was walking through the beach-grapes——"
"I beg yours! I also was crossing the sweet-bay scrub when I happened to glance down at the cove and saw this poor little dog in the water."
"That is exactly what I did! I happened to glance down, and there I saw this little dog. Instantly I sprang——"
"So did I!—I beg your pardon for interrupting you!"
"I was merely explaining that I first saw the dog, and next I noticed you. But first of all I saw the dog."
"That is the exact sequence in my own observations," she rejoined calmly. "First of all I saw the dog in the water, then I heard a crash in the bush, and saw something floundering about in the tangle."
"And," continued Gray, much annoyed by her persistency, "no sooner had I caught hold of the crate than you came up and laid your hand on it, also. You surely must remember that I had my hand on the crate before you did!"
"I am very sorry you think so. The contrary[156] was the case. I took firm hold of the crate, and then you aided me to draw it up out of the water."