'I suppose that they did not offer so much for her as you are asking from me?'
'They offered more, sir.'
'Then why did you not accept one of the offers?'
'Because it wouldn't have been acting square with you, sir. I am a straightforward man, I am; and having offered the Sparrow-hawk to you at a certain price, I bide by my word.'
'That is very good of you—very good, indeed. It is not often that I meet with such an honourable business man.'
Skipper Drummond sighed deeply, as if he was sincerely sorry for the fact that there were some men who were very dishonourable.
'My idea was,' Mr. Page said, after a few moments' silence, 'to purchase the Sparrow-hawk for my son, and start him in business as a steam-trawler owner. Perhaps it would be well if I introduced you to him at once.'
'I shall be proud to make the young gentleman's acquaintance. I am not a man to boast, sir; but if any one can produce a man that knows more about North Sea fishing than I do, I'm a Dutchman.'
'Charlie!' Mr. Page called out loudly, and in walked from the conservatory Charlie, Ping Wang, and Fred.
'Good evening, skipper!' Charlie exclaimed, cheerfully.