d busily with
their work.

'I caught as many as Allan, didn't I?' he began again.

'I'm sure I don't know,' said Marjorie indifferently. She was tired
and the peat smoke was making her eyes smart, and it irritated her to
see Harry doing nothing.

'But surely you kept count,' persisted Harry; 'I caught more than
Hamish, anyhow.'

'I wasn't looking,' said Marjorie. 'If you caught more than Hamish
to-day it was more than you do when you go trout fishing. I wish you
would go away now, Harry, and not talk to me until tea is ready.'

'Let her alone, Harry,' remonstrated Gerald, who had followed his
brother into the hut; but Harry was in a teasing mood and Marjorie's
reply had stung him.

'Cross patch!' he muttered, giving her elbow a shove.

Marjorie had not been prepared for the movement, which jerked some of
the fish into the fire. In an instant she turned round and pinned
Harry against the wall, while her eyes blazed.

'Harry! you struck a lady!--Apologise!'

'No, I won't,' muttered Harry, struggling to free himself. His arms
were held as in a vice.

'Are you going to apologise for having hit a lady?' reiterated Marjorie.

'No,' replied Harry, trying desperately to free himself, and becoming
aware that the other boys were nearing the door of the hut.

The struggle was prolonged for a minute or two, and then, just as the
boys, to Harry's unspeakable confusion, were on the point of coming in,
Marjorie slowly relaxed her hold and let him go.

Harry left the cottage, followed by Gerald, and seated himself on the
turf dyke with his chin resting on his hands. For a long time he gazed
blankly in front of him, and neither boy spoke.

At last Harry began, 'I say, Gerald, do you think they saw?'

'Yes,' answered Gerald; 'I'm afraid they did.'

Harry dropped his chin on his hands again and reflected.

'Do you think it was because of that that they didn't come in at
first?' he queried after awhile.

'I think so,' said Gerald; 'they didn't want to have to interfere.'

A long pause followed. Harry gazed seawards, absorbed in gloomy
reflections.

'It was awfully stupid of you to go on teasing her,' said Gerald; 'any
one could have seen that she was going to lose her temper. She's so
strong too; always rowing and climbing, and doing things like a boy.'

'Don't tell the boys at school,' said Harry, after a long time; then he
relapsed into silence again.

Suddenly he pulled himself together, and jumped of