"Oh, he did, did he?" said Uncle John, "well, I wouldn't be surprised if young Donald had a fishing outfit tucked snugly away in some cranny in the rocks, where he doubtless found it after he left you."
"What WOULD have happened to us if you hadn't found us?" said Rose.
Uncle John Atherton's brown eyes were not twinkling as he turned to reply, and Polly thought she saw a tear on his lashes.
His arm tightened about Rose, and he drew her closer.
"I don't like to think what MIGHT have happened to you two little friends, alone on the open sea. I shall settle with Donald later," he said.
"What will you do?" questioned Rose, looking up into his face with eager, yet anxious eyes.
"Why do you ask?" he questioned.
"I wouldn't think to ask if you were smiling," said Rose, "but you look so stern—oh, I don't care if you scold him some, but 'tho he was mean, and naughty, don't make him feel TOO bad."
"You've a loving heart," was the quick reply, "and like all the
Athertons, you are generous."
"Generous?" said Rose, in quick surprise, "I didn't say give him anything. I only said: 'Don't make him feel TOO bad!'"