lordly, patronising way, the very personification no doubt of boyish
beauty. I became troubled to see him look so handsome. The contrast
between him and a cripple was not fair, I thought, as I observed an
expression of passing admiration on little Winifred's face. Yet I
thought there was not the pleased smile with which she had first
greeted me, and a weight of anxiety was partially removed, for it had
now become quite evident to me that I was as much in love as any
swain of eighteen--it had become quite evident that without Winifred
the poor little shattered sea-gull must perish altogether. She was
literally my world.

Frank came and sat down with us, and made himself as agreeable as
possible. He tried to enter into our play, but we were too slow for
him; he soon became restless and impatient. 'Oh bother!' he said, and
got up and left us.

I drew a sigh of relief when he was gone.

'Do you like my brother, Winifred?' I said.

'Yes.' she said.

'Why?'

'Because he is so pretty and so nimble. I believe he could run
up--' and then she stopped; but I knew what the complete sentence
would have been. She was going to say: 'I believe he could run up the
gangways without stopping to take breath.'

Here was a stab; but she did not notice the effect of her unfinished