'Yes, it is mackerel.'
'Where were you buying them?'
'I was not buying them anywhere. I caught them myself—my brothers and me.'
'I do not believe you.'
'I cannot help that, then,' said Rob. 'But where had I the money to buy mackerel from any one?'
The salesman glanced at the boat again.
'I'll go down to the slip with you.'
So he and Rob together walked down to the slip, and the salesmen had a look at the mackerel. Apparently he had arrived at the conclusion that, after all, Rob was not likely to have bought a cargo of mackerel as a commercial speculation.
'Well, I will buy the mackerel from you,' he said. 'I will give you half-a-crown the hundred for them.'
'Half-a-crown!' said Rob. 'I will take three-and-sixpence the hundred for them.'