characters acknowledged that the captain was an upright man, and that
whatever he did, he would take no undue advantage of them.

Captain Askew sat in his room--the captain's room. It was known by no
other name. He was a strongly-built man, with a fine open countenance,
florid, or rather sunburnt, with blue eyes--Margery's were like them--
and hair sprinkled thickly with frost. The loss of his leg had
prevented him from taking much rapid exercise, and he had grown slightly
stout in consequence, but he was still hale and active. Margery stood
by his side watching his proceedings, and occasionally, when required,
helping him in his work.

They were interrupted by Becky Bott, who put her head in at the door,
saying, "Please, there's young master Stephen Ludlow a come to see you,
Miss Margery, with a book he says." Having delivered her message, Becky
popped her head out of the room.

"I don't like that Stephen Ludlow, father, and I wish that he wouldn't
come here as he does," exclaimed Margery, pouting. "He never cared for
dear Jack, and he has no right to come here, with his proud manners,
sneering at everything, and thinking himself the most important person
in all the country round."

"He is our landlord's son, little daughter, and it is our duty to treat
him with attention," answered the captain. "I have not found his manner
un-courteous, though, being an only son, he possibly is spoilt a little
at home."

"He is spoilt a great deal, I suspect," cried Margery tossing her head
in scorn.

"Well, well, ask him if he has a mind to stop to dinner, then tell him
that you are engaged with me, and come back here," said the captain; "he
will find means of amusing himself in the meantime."

Margery found Stephen in the sitting-room. He was a pale-faced boy,
with irresolution marked on every lineament of his countenance; the curl
of his lip, and a frown marked on his brow, were not pleasant traits.
"I have brought this book for you, Margery, as I thought you would like
it if you have never read it," he said, presenting a good thick volume,
with a somewhat awkward manner.

Margery took it coldly, saying, "Thank you, I'll try and read it, but I
have not much time to read by myself, as papa likes to be read to, and
so does mamma of an evening when she is at work. Oh! by the by, I am to
ask you to stop and dine, dinner will soon be ready, and you can amuse
yourself in the meantime on the beach. As I think of it, it