Mother took the frying-pan and saucepan and mugs and plates down to the landing-place, and washed them while Titty dried them. Then she brought them back to the camp, and put them neatly away. She filled the kettle and put it on one of the stones of the fireplace, half on and half off the fire. “It’ll get hot there,” she said, “and then it’ll boil up quickly when they come back thirsty for their tea.”
“I don’t think they’ll be back so soon,” said Titty.
Mother looked at her.
“You’d better come along with me,” she said. “The camp will look after itself all right.”
“No thank you,” said Titty firmly.
“Oh well,” said mother, “if you are quite sure you will be all right. But don’t wait tea for them too long. The Blacketts might ask them to stay and have tea with them.”
Titty said nothing.
Mother got into the boat, and pushed off with an oar.
“Goodbye, Robinson Crusoe,” she said.
“Goodbye, Man Friday,” said Titty. “It was very jolly having you here. I hope you liked my island.”
“Very much indeed,” said mother.
She rowed slowly away. Titty ran up to the lookout point to wave. Mother rowed past below it. The island was suddenly very lonely indeed. Titty changed her mind.
“Mother,” she called.