're going to stay. So suppose we
shakes hands agen?"

They did, as if they meant it, too.

They did mean it, and somehow a great attachment sprang up between those
two men, while as time rolled on Nic smiled more than once on meeting
them consulting together about matters connected with the estate, and
made Solly wince.

At last, after a good deal of hesitation, Solly turned upon his young
master.

"Beg pardon, sir," he said; "speaking respeckful like--"

"What is it?" said Nic, for the man stopped.

"Well, sir, you know; and it goes hard on a chap as is doing his dooty
and wants to keep things straight."

"I still don't understand you, Solly," said Nic.

"Well, sir, it's all along o' that there chap, Pete: you never ketch me
a-talking to him, and giving him a bit o' good advice about what the
skipper likes done, but you grins."

"Grins?"

"Oh, it's no use to make believe, Master Nic, because you do, and it
hurts."

"They were not grins," said Nic. "I only smiled because I was glad to
see you two such good friends."

"Ho!" ejaculated Solly; "that was it, sir? I thought you was grinning
and thinking what an old fool I was."

"Nothing of the sort."

"Well, I'm glad o' that, Master Nic, though it do seem a bit queer that
I should take a lot o' notice of a feller as fought agen us as he did.
But we aren't friends, sir."

"Indeed!" said Nic.

"It's on'y that I can't help taking a bit to a man as stood by you as he
did over yonder in furren abroad. You see, a man like that's got the
making of a good true mate in him."

"Yes, Solly, of as good a man as ever stepped."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two years had passed, when one day Solly watched his opportunity of
catching Nic alone in the grounds, and followed him.

"Master Nic!" he whispered hoarsely.

The young man turned round, and Solly "made a face" at him. That is to
say, he shut his left eye very slowly and screwed up the whole of his
countenance till it was a maze of wrinkles.

"What is it, Solly?"

"Pete's over yonder, sir, by the combo, and wants to speak to you."

"Oh, very well, I'll go," said Nic, and the old sailor nodded, looked
mysterious, slapped his mouth to indicate that it was a secret mission,
and hurried away.

"What does it all mean?" said Nic to himself. "Why, I do believe Pete
is going to tell me that he wants to be married, and to ask if my father
will object."

He