Meanwhile Auntie and Mr. Ellins has been lookin' on without gettin' the plot of the piece.
"I must say," Auntie comes out with, "that I see no very subtle strategy about that performance. Those men must have suspected. What did they think they were carrying on board so carefully?"
"Sand," says I.
"Huh!" grunts Old Hickory.
"You said you'd stand for it," says I. "And all you owe 'em is about two apiece for helpin' you save your face."
"My face, eh?" says Old Hickory.
"Someone had to be the goat," says I.
"Why, to be sure," cuts in Auntie, beamin' good-natured again. "And I think Torchy managed it very cleverly."
"Thanks, Mrs. Hemmingway," says I. "Maybe you'll do as much for me some time, eh?"
"Why—er—certainly I will," says Auntie, catchin' her breath a little.