“Half an hour for breakfast!” he called cheerily. Erminie answered, and soon came down to him.
At once Billy told her his latest worry, and asked her opinion.
“I believe I’d better risk it. If the captain says anything, I’ll tell him I got left. It will be about nine when I get home, and people I know won’t be out so early.”
“Then we’ll have another dish of manna, and—”
A whistle interrupted Billy.
“There she is now! What’s got into my watch? That’s been the joker all the time.”
“Do you suppose she’ll stop, Billy?” Erminie had already started down the hill.
“You’ll have to run for it. Got any money?” While he spoke he thrust a dollar in her hand and she flew down the path out of his sight.
He heard the signal to stop, heard the mate cry “All aboard!” as usual before the gang plank was lowered, and after a moment heard the vessel puff her way out on her course again.
When he was certain that Erminie was off he realized, as not before, his great fatigue. A search by morning light revealed many toothsome bits of picnic dainties in the high, clean grass, which he gathered, an egg in an unbroken shell, some butter in a covered jelly glass, and a bun which he toasted by the coals.