tterfly yet? I suppose after
this Salt-haven won't be good enough for you?"

"There's nothing like life for young people," said Mrs. Carr. "Give them
plenty of life and that's all they want."

Miss Hartley, whose back was toward her aunt, made a grimace.

"It's very natural," said the captain.

Miss Hartley made a further effort--one that she had relinquished at the
age of ten--but the captain, intent upon a bite, missed it.

"In my young days all I thought of was gadding about," said Mrs. Carr,
smiling. "I wasn't very strong either; it was just my spirits kept me
up. But I used to suffer for it afterward."

"We all do," said the captain, politely.

By a feat of absolute legerdemain he took out his handkerchief and
brushed some crumbs from his beard. His cup slid to the edge of the
saucer and peeped over, but, throwing the spoon overboard, righted
itself just in time. Somewhat pleased with himself he replaced the
handkerchief and, drinking the remainder of his tea, thankfully handed
the crockery to Joan. After which, with a mind relieved, he-sat and spun
his marvelling hostess a few tales of the sea.

He left under plea of business, before Mr. Carr's return, and with a
reference to the family likeness obtaining between omnibuses, asked
Joan to see him safe aboard. He accompanied the request with such a
distortion of visage that she rightly concluded that he wished for an
opportunity to speak to her alone.

"You're looking better," he said, when they got outside. "A year or two
in London will be the making of you."

"A year or two!" echoed the startled Joan. "I've had quite enough of it
already, thank you. I've never been so dull."

"You haven't got used to the change yet," said the captain, indulgently.
"That's natural; but in another month I expect you'll have quite a
different tale to tell."

"I am going home next weak," said Miss Hartley, in a decided voice.

Captain Trimblett coughed.

"Why shouldn't I?" inquired the girl, in reply.

The captain coughed again.

"I should think the Carrs would be glad to have you," he replied,
becoming suddenly busy with his handkerchief, "especially as they have
got no children. And a year or two with them in town would give you a--a
sort of finish."

"You have heard something from my father?" exclaimed Joan, turning on
him.

"He--he wrote," said the captain.

"Did he suggest my staying here?"

"No," said the captain, putting his handkerchief away with grea