“Busy,” said Hunch, taking the hand, and wishing that he could get away.

“Where are you now? Up to Manistee?”

“I s'pose I hail from there 's much as anywheres.”

“On the lake again, ain't you. One of the boys told me you was getting up in the world.”

“Oh, I ain't very much yet.”

“You're cap'n of a big schooner, I hear.”

“Yes. How's all your folks?”

“Pretty well. Mamie was sick for a while, but I guess she's all right now. Let's see, it's most a year since I saw you. Don't you ever get down here?”

“Not very often.”

“How long 're you here for?”