isherman, who should be making his way in the world.
"Where is it getting you?" she demanded.

"Getting me?"

"Yes," she declared with vigor, yet coloring a little. "A man should
work."

"But I'm not idle."

"He should work to get ahead--to save--to make something of himself--to
establish himself in life--to have a home."

He smiled then and likewise colored. "I--I------A man can't do that
alone. Especially the home-making part."

"You don't suppose any of these girls about here--the nice girls, I
mean--want a man who is not a home provider?"

He laughed outright then. "Some of them get that kind, I fear, Miss
Grayling. Mandy Card, for instance."

"Are you planning to be another Milt Baker?" she responded with scorn.

"Oh, now, you're hard on a fellow," he complained. "I'm always busy.
And, fixed as I am, I don't see why I should grub and moil at
unpleasant things."

Louise shrugged her shoulders and made a gesture of finality. "You are
impossible, I fear," she said and put aside--not without a secret
pang--her interest in Lawford Tapp, an interest which had been
developing since she first met the young man.

He allowed the subject to lapse and began telling her about the ledges
on which the rock cod and tautog schooled; where bluefish might be
caught on the line, and snappers in the channels going into the Haven.

"Good sport. I must take you out in the _Merry Andrew_," he said.
"She's a peach of a sailer--and my very own."

"Oh! do you own the sloop, Mr. Tapp?"

"I guess I do! And no money could buy her," he cried with boyish
enthusiasm. "She's the best lap-streak boat anywhere along the Cape.
And _sail_!"

"I love sailing," she confessed, with brightening visage.

"Say! You just set the day--so it won't conflict with your work--and
I'll take you out," he declared eagerly,

"But won't it conflict with your duties?"

"Humph!" he returned. "I thought your idea was that I didn't have any
duties. However," and he smiled again, "you need not worry about that.
When you want to go I will arrange everything so that I'll have a free
day."

"But not alone, Mr. Tapp?"

"No," he agreed gravely. "I suppose that wouldn't do. But we can
rake up a chaperon somewhere."

"Oh, yes!" and Louise dimpled again. "We'll take Betty Gallup along.
She's an able seaman, too."

"I _bet_ she is!" ejaculated Lawford with emphasis.

He handled the boat with excellent judgment, and his confidence caused