"I fancy I am not altogether wasting my time," the younger man drawled in a tone that made Tobias want to kick him. "Well," Burtwell said, "I can’t afford to wait forever for the money I had to advance on that motor-boat transaction. I tell you there is a limit to my patience. But there may be a way for you to help me—and yourself—to some of the wherewithal." The lightkeeper took his packages then and passed the couple on the store porch. He did not glance at Degger, nor did he wait for the fellow to join him at the dock. He got under way in the _Marybird_ and let the boarder exercise his legs on the shell road if he wanted to get back to the Light for supper. "Something’s got to be done," ruminated Tobias, tacking for the cove, in which he moored the sloop hard by the lighthouse. "This here feller may be able to rush Lorny an’ tie her up to some contract ’fore she knows what he’s about. He seems a’mighty sure of himself. "I cal’late," pursued the lightkeeper, "that as the angels fear to tread on this matrimonial path—as Heppy says—it’s up to me to do so. I ain’t going to see little Lorny get stung in no marriage game. Nor yet I don’t mean Ralph shall lose all holts. Something’s got to be done." It seemed as though circumstances played into his hands. Tobias was conceited enough perhaps to believe that he really was foredoomed to act the part of matchmaker. At any rate, there was Lorna on the shore when the _Marybird_ drifted in to her moorings, the site of which was marked by a nail keg. Tobias picked up the bight of the anchor cable and looped it upon a becket, taking a turn or two for safety. Then he drew up the dory, put aboard his purchases, locked the _Marybird’s_ cabin, and sculled ashore. Lorna smiled upon him. "Nice day, Lorny." "So it is, Mr. Bassett. Didn’t Mr. Degger come home with you?" "Oh, sugar! I forgot all about him, didn’t I? Did you want to see him partic’lar, Lorny?" "Just wanted somebody to play with," she confessed. "Wal! wal! you air to be pitied," he said. "Won’t Ralph do?" She made him a little face, but flushed too. "Ralph Endicott is no fun any more. He’s as grouchy as a sore-headed bear." "I want to know!" "Yes. He’s going away soon, anyway, I understand. And I’m glad of it," the girl declared. "Oh, sugar! I suppose that’s so," reflected Tobias, filling his pipe. "Wal, a feller can’t always appear chirpy an’ lively when things is going wrong with him." She flashed him a look of suspicion. "What do you mean by that, Tobias Bassett?" "Er—wal, like enough he don’t feel any too happy. I give it as my opinion that none of the Endicotts do, right now. Wal!" He sighed reflectively, and slowly pulled on his pipe to get it well alight. Lorna continued to stare at him, a little puzzled frown marring her brow. "You are the most mysterious person," she said. "Tell me straight out what you mean." "Oh, sugar! I don’t guess I need to tell you what Ralph’s trouble is."