more than an hour. Do, do
come, or it'll be spoiled."

"Go and tell uncle then. I'm not coming down."

"But I have been, my dear, and he said I was to come and tell you. He
isn't coming down. Do make haste and finish and come down."

"No, not to-day, Jane. I can't come."

"But what is the matter, dear? Is master in a temper because you fell
off the cliff and cut your face?"

"I didn't fall off the cliff and cut my face," said Aleck.

"Then, whatever is the matter, my dear?"

"Well, if you must know, Jane, I've been fighting--like a blackguard, I
suppose," cried the boy, pettishly.

"And is that what made master so cross?"

"Yes."

"Did it hurt you very much?" came through the door crack in a whisper.

"Yes--no," replied Aleck.

"I don't know what you mean, my dear," sighed Jane.

"Never mind. Go away, please, now. I'm bathing my face."

"But my dinner's all being spoiled, my dear. You won't come, and master
won't come. What am I to do?"

"Go and sit down and eat it," cried Aleck, in a passion now; "only don't
bother me."

"Well, I'm sure!" cried the captain's maid, tartly. "Master's temper's
bad enough to drive anyone away, and now you're beginning too. I don't
know what we're coming to in--" _um--um--murmur--murmur--murmur--bang_!

At least that is how it sounded to Aleck as he went on with his bathing,
the sharp closing of the passage door bringing all to an end and leaving
the boy to continue the bathing and drying of his injuries by degrees,
after which he sat down by the open window, to rest his aching head upon
his hand and let the soft sea air play upon his temples.

He was very miserable, and in a good deal of bodily pain, but the
trouble seemed to be the worse part, and it was just occurring to him
that he felt very sick and faint and that a draught of water would do
him good, when there was a sharp tap at the door after the handle had
been tried.

"Uncle!" thought the lad, and the blood flushed painfully to his face.

Then the tap was repeated.

"Master Aleck, Master Aleck!"

"Yes."

"I've brought you up some dinner on a tray."

"I don't want any--I couldn't eat it," said the boy, bitterly.

"Don't tell me, my dear. You do want something--you must; and you can
eat it if you try. Now, do come and open the door, please, or you'll be
ill."

Aleck rose with a sigh and crossed the room, and the maid came in with a
covered plate of something hot which emitted an appet