"The water's like silk to-night," corroborated Sally Rebecca. "I do wish I could swim—instead of wading. . . . How are you feeling, George?"
"Not so bad for a youngster," I said, contrasting my own jaded condition with that of Gran'pa's fiancée. (There was no doubt that the active, open-air life and Gran'pa's system of physical jerks had greatly improved her health and vitality).
"I think Daddy looks heaps better," asserted Molly, standing and viewing me with her feet apart.
"So I am, my dear! Who wouldn't be, with two such companions as you girls?"
The girl of seventy blushed and the girl of twelve laughed good-humoredly—the old and the modern way of taking a compliment.
Then Stringer and Dr. Croft entered.
They had just come back from the jungle, and looked a little jaded and despondent.
"Any luck today?" I asked.
"None!" answered Croft, briefly. "But we've news—of a sort. Old Nchago says that he's discovered a fresh hunting ground, and has seen, or heard, upwards of a dozen male and female gorillas."
"Ah!" exclaimed Gran'pa, with a quick glance at his beloved. "I'm glad there's a chance of getting a lady gorilla or two. I was beginning to lose heart. . . ."