"And did he build this hut?"
"No," I said proudly; "I did that."
She looked a little embarrassed.
"I really must apologize then," she said. "I'm afraid I've been making free with your property in the most unpardonable manner. I thought it was a kind of desert island."
"So it was," I said, "before you came—a most hopeless desert." Then I hesitated. "If you won't think me inquisitive," I went on, "may I ask how you managed to get here?"
She smiled.
"The same way that you did, I expect. My boat's round the bend there behind the trees." She pointed away to the left towards the small bay which formed the island's other anchorage. "It's only a three-tonner though," she added regretfully.
I looked at her with some interest.
"Are you accustomed to roam about the high sea single-handed in a three-ton boat?" I inquired.
"Oh, yes," she said. "Why not? After all, they are the easiest to handle."