pardonable severity. "Are you sure you are awake now? Oh, look! There is
a ray of light! How heavenly! But why didn't you relight the lantern?"

"It was broken," he said, "and useless. Also I found that I had only
three matches."

"I hope it will be a lesson to you," she rejoined, breathing a sigh of
relief as they emerged into the dim twilight of the cave. "Oh, isn't it
nice to see again! I feel as if I have been blindfolded for years."

"Poor little one!" he said. "Can you ever pardon me?"

They stood together in the deep gloom. They could hear the water lapping
the sides of the passage that led inwards from the shore.

"It must be knee-deep round the bend," said Chris. "Yes, I'll forgive
you, Bertie. I daresay it wasn't altogether your fault, and I expect your
head aches, doesn't it? I hope it isn't very bad. Is there a very big
lump? Let me feel."

She passed her hand over his forehead till her fingers encountered the
excrescence they sought.

"Oh, you poor boy, it's enormous!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me
before? We must bathe it at once."

But Bertrand laughed and gently drew her hand away. "No--no! It is only a
_bagatelle_. Think no more of it, I beg. I merited it for my negligence.
Now, while there is still light, let us decide where you can with the
greatest convenience pass the night."