wife she must keep the look-out for the gate.
Ralph's coming along presently, and will be down at the Cove most as
soon as we shall."

George wanted Aleck to go into the lodge and see certain objects of
interest, which, to use his own words, he "set _great store by_." But I
was too eager to allow of this, and insisted upon our setting out at
once for the Cove. "I want to show him the greatest treasure I have of
all my treasures," I exclaimed.

"Is that the 'Fair Alice' you were telling me of?" asked Aleck.

"Yes; you'll see her presently," I replied; "and you won't wonder that I
like her better than all my other things."

I led the way at once by a footpath from the lodge across the sloping
green meadow, then through a little tangled copse, and finally a short
rocky descent to what was at Braycombe always styled _the_ Cove. Not but
that there were many coves on our beautiful indented coast, but this one
was the most accessible on our grounds. The boat-house and the
bathing-box were both here; and here, too, as being within easy reach, I
had from earliest years climbed and scrambled and explored, until every
stone was almost as familiar as the letters of my alphabet; and I could
tell at what state of the tide certain rocks would be uncovered, and
knew at a glance whether it would be safe to cross from one part to
another on stepping-stones, or whether, to reach a given spot, we must
go round by the side of the hill. How I loved, and do love, every foot
of the ground, every stone, every rock, every silvery ripple of that the
most charming of all possible play-grounds!

Thither, then, I led the way, Aleck following me closely, and George
more slowly behind.

"There now," I cried, drawing up breathlessly as we gained our
destination, "see, that's my boat-house." It was an exact miniature of
the real boat-house, and Aleck stood transfixed with admiration looking
at it; for of all things calculated for the amusement of children,
nothing, I think, succeeds so well as real miniatures--imitations in
proportion--of things which belong to the grown-up world. But the true
kernel of the nut--the jewel of the case--was the elegant little model
yacht, which I presently drew forth from her moorings within.

"Now that's the 'Fair Alice,'" I continued; "isn't she lovely?"

"Awfully jolly," Aleck replied, after gazing for a moment in speechless
admiration. "I never saw anything half so nice before! Oh, if only we
were small enoug