We wouldn't, either of us, mind a bit if some other fellow came along and hooked the whale which we had marked down as our private prey." Simpkins was puzzled again.

The doctrine about fishing rights struck him as slightly socialistic.

It might possibly be applicable in the case of whales, but society could scarcely survive as an organised whole if many men regarded the possession of salmon as of no importance.

At the same time he was pleased; it gratified him immensely to be hailed as a fellow citizen of a larger world.
"Would you mind," he said, speaking in quite a friendly tone, "telling me your name ?" "Not in the least," said Meldon.

"I said so before.