“Haven’t I?” said the skipper dryly. “That depends I guess a little on how much you want to eat. I have got some salt pork and potatoes and if you don’t like that diet all I can say is that you might have brought your own stuff.”
The boys were silent as the reference to their poverty caused them both to realize how impossible it was for them to obtain even the common necessities of life, if they had no money with which to make their purchases.
“Ever been over to Cockburn Island?” inquired the captain after a long silence.
“Yes,” said John. “It’s a funny island.”
“It isn’t so funny as the people on it.”
“That’s what I thought,” laughed Fred.
“Well, you weren’t thinking far wrong. I’ve been over to Cockburn Island every month ever since the ice went out of the lakes.”
“What do you go for?” asked John.
“If I don’t tell you then you won’t know, will you?” said the captain glancing shrewdly at the boys as he spoke.
“I don’t suppose we shall,” acknowledged John.