CHAPTER SIX

FAIRY STORIES


Joan found her sketch waiting for her the next day when she reached Gorse
Point about eleven o'clock; and she also discovered John Barron with a
large canvas before him. He had constructed his picture and already made
many drawings for it. Now he knew exactly what he wanted, and he designed
to paint Joan standing looking out at a distant sea which would be far
behind the spectator of the picture. When she arrived, on a fine morning
and mild, Barron rose from his camp-stool, lifted up a little canvas which
stood framed at his side and presented it to her. The sketch in oils of the
"Anna" was cleverer than Joan could possibly know, but she took no small
delight in it and in the setting of rough deal brightly gilded.

"Sure 'tis truly good of 'e, sir!"

"You are more than welcome. Only let me say one word, Joan. Keep your
picture hidden away until Joe comes back from sea and marries you. From
what you tell me, your father might not like you to have this trifle, and I
should be very sorry to annoy him."

"I waddun' gwaine to show en," she confessed. "I shall store the picksher
away as you sez."

"You are wise. Now look here, doesn't this promise to be a big affair? The