I will be wanting in his place a young man with a good nose for business , and I rather think that you will be that young man . What do you say ? '' `` Thank you , sir , '' stammered Ned , scarcely believing his ears . A position in Mr. Rogers 's store meant good salary and promotion . He had never dared to hope for such good fortune . `` If you -- think I can give satisfaction -- '' `` You manipulated Old Dutcher , and you 've earned enough in a very slow-going place to put you through your business-college term , so I am sure you are the man I 'm looking for . I believe in helping those who have ` gumption ' enough to help themselves , so we 'll call it a bargain , Ned . '' Our Runaway Kite Of course there was nobody for us to play with on the Big Half Moon , but then , as Claude says , you ca n't have everything . We just had to make the most of each other , and we did . The Big Half Moon is miles from anywhere , except the Little Half Moon . But nobody lives there , so that does n't count . We live on the Big Half Moon . `` We '' are Father and Claude and I and Aunt Esther and Mimi and Dick . It used to be only Father and Claude and I . It is all on account of the kite that there are more of us . This is what I want to tell you about . Father is the keeper of the Big Half Moon lighthouse . He has always been the keeper ever since I can remember , although that is n't very long . I am only eleven years old . Claude is twelve .
In winter , when the harbour is frozen over , there is n't any need of a light on the Big Half XXXXX , and we all move over to the mainland , and Claude and Mimi and Dick and I go to school .
Dick Dutcher Esther Father Mimi Moon Ned Rogers lighthouse old