"If you want to please people, you must begin by understanding them," said the lady, not ill-naturedly.
"But if they don't understand themselves?"
"Then pity them; you can, for you are a man."
"What hurts me," said Hazel, "is that you really seem to think I fly these ducks for my pleasure. Why, if I had my wish, you and I should never leave this island, nor any other person set a foot on it. I am frank, you see."
"Rather too frank."
"What does it matter, since I do my duty all the same, and fly the ducks? But sometimes I do yearn for a word of praise for it; and that word never comes."
"It is a praiseworthy act," said Helen, but so icily that it is a wonder he ever flew another duck after that.
"No matter," said he, and his hand involuntarily sought his heart; "you read me a sharp but wholesome lesson, that we should do our duty for our duty's sake. And as I am quite sure it is my duty to liberate you and restore you to those you— I'll fly three ducks to-morrow morning instead of two."
"It is not done by my advice," said Helen. "You will certainly make yourself ill."
"Oh, that is all nonsense!" said Hazel.