human
There ye be, Mr. Lawford, crowed the man,
gpt
You had your glass on us, did you?
human
I did, young man--I did. An' when that bobbin' skiff walloped ye on the side of the head I never 'spected t' see you come up again. If it hadn't been for this little lady who------Shucks, now! This ain't her 'tall, is it?
gpt
Oh, Mr. Tapp, were you in a boating accident yesterday?
human
I was overboard--yes, responded Lawford, but rather blankly, for he was startled by the lightkeeper's statement.
gpt
What do you mean, Jonas? to the lightkeeper.
human
Didn't Betty Gallup haul me inboard?
gpt
Bet Gallup--nawthin'! exploded Jonas with disgust.
human
She handled that sloop o' yourn all right. I give her credit for that. But 'twas that there gal stayin' at Cap'n Abe's. Ye had her out with ye, eh?
gpt
Miss Grayling? Certainly.
human
She's some gal, even if she is city bred, was the lightkeeper's enthusiastic observation.
gpt
An' quick! My soul! Ye'd ought to seen her kick off her skirt an' shoes an' dive after ye! I swanny, she was a sight!
human
I should think she would have been! gasped Miss Louder with some scorn.
gpt
Goodness me, she must be a regular stunt actress!
human
Jonas, do you mean that? he asked.
gpt
I thought it was Betty who saved me. Why, dad said this morning he was going to send the old woman a check. He doesn't much approve of me, and the heir of the Taffy King smiled rather grimly,
human
He's glad ye didn't git done for _com_-pletely, heh? suggested Jonas, and giggled.
gpt
I wouldn't for a minute stand in the way of Bet Gallup's gittin' what's due her. She did pick ye both up, Lawford. But, land sakes! ye'd been six fathoms down, all right, if it hadn't been for that gal at Cap'n Abe's.
human
I--I had no idea of it. I never even thanked her, muttered Lawford.
gpt
What can she think of me?