“Go away,” said the houseboat man, “I’m busy.”
John sat down and rowed away out of the bay. He rowed much harder than before, and his rowing was not so regular. He even forgot about navy style. He was out of breath and very hot when he brought the Swallow back to the landing-place at Wild Cat Island.
The others met him there.
“Did you see the parrot?” asked Titty.
“What did he say when you gave him the message?” asked Susan.
“Did you go aboard the houseboat?” asked Roger.
“I didn’t give him the message,” said John. “He wouldn’t let me.”
“Did you declare war on him?” asked Titty.
“No,” said John. He pulled Swallow up on the beach.
“He called me a liar,” he said, and went off by himself to the lookout place. The others looked at each other, but did not follow him.
“I always said we ought to sink the houseboat,” said Titty.