"For heaven's sake, stop!" said Saltash. "You make me giddy. Tell me the
things you can't do instead! It would take less time."

Toby considered for a few moments. "I can't drive cars," he said at
length. "But I can clean 'em, and I'd love to learn."

Saltash laughed. "That's the sole exception, is it? You seem to have
picked up a good deal in a short time. Did they teach you all that over
there?"

Toby shook his head. "I've knocked about a good lot," he said.

"And know everything evidently," said Saltash. "What made you think of
coming on board this yacht?"

The boy's eyes gave him a shining look. "Because she belongs to you," he
said.

"Oh!" Saltash puffed at his cigarette for a few seconds. "You'd made up
your mind to throw in your fortunes with mine, had you?"

Toby nodded. "I wanted to--if you'd have me."

"Seems I haven't much choice," remarked Saltash. "And what are you going
to do when you're tired of me? Fling yourself at someone else's head, I
suppose?"

Again he saw the hot colour flood the thin face, but the boyish eyes did
not flinch from his. "No, I shan't do that," said Toby, after brief
reflection. "I'll just go right under next time."