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Rh help me keep an eye out—he'd be up here watchin', whole afternoons. Might 'a' done better 'n me, nearin' thirty an' good for nothin' but fish. I want ye to promise me one thing," he jerked out. "Quick, 'cause we 've been standin' here talkin' too long."

"I 'll promise it," said Archer.

"Don't tell her—Helen," said Blue Peter, looking down, "none o' what I told ye—'bout me or the boy—an' our doin's. I knowed some one 'ud come along like you—I ain't a fool. Just you promise that."

"All right, then," said Archer. Suddenly he held out his hand. "Peter, you 're the best fellow I ever knew anywhere."

Their grip was strong but brief.

"I wish we'd 'a' growed up together—Hugh," said the fisherman. "Now hurry. Swim the best ye know how. I 'll hold on till you get back. That's my promise, for yours. I 'll hold 'em."

He went scrambling downward to his desperate politics. Archer bounded off down the slope, through the field and the frost-bitten rows of vegetables, to the back door.