Besides, it was you who pulled us out.

You were doing your best, Don, of course, but we would have gone under the jam but for Tom." For ten minutes the boys stood going over again the various incidents in the recent dramatic scene, extolling the virtues of Ranald, Don, and Thomas in turn, and imitating, with screams of laughter, Hughie's gulps and splashings while he was fighting for his life.

It was their way of expressing their emotions of gratitude and joy, for Hughie was dearly loved by all, though no one would have dared to manifest such weakness.
As they were separating, Hughie whispered to Ranald, "Come home with me, Ranald.

I want you." And Ranald, looking down into the little white face, went.

It would be many a day before he would get rid of the picture of the white face, with the staring black eyes, floating on the dark brown water beside him, and that was why he went.
When they reached the path to the manse clearing Ranald and Hughie were alone.