"We'll make you a present of it," said Townsend.

"My idea," said Miss Timerson, "would be to tie it to these bushes that
stick out over the water. It ought to be far enough away from the--the
mainland--to be romantic. How far away do you think it should be, Mr.
Ripley?"

"The way I feel about it I think it should be at least two thousand
miles off."

"Silly!" said Miss Daring. "Please be serious. Do you think about
three yards would be romantic?"

"I never measured romance by the yard," said Townsend, "but I should
think about three yards and a half of romance would be enough. If we
have any left over we can give it to the discoverer. He eats it alive."

"And I'll tell you what I'll do," shouted Pee-wee; "it's an
inspiration."

"Another?" Townsend asked.

"I'll--I'll--I'll stay on the island----"

"I thought so," said Townsend.

"And--and--I'll stand right here by the traffic sign and after somebody
that's eating has had enough, I'll turn the sign so it says STOP; I'll
turn it so it's facing him."