“Were you ever drowned?”
“I’ve come within an ace of it twice this summer. Once an Indian got me out, and once the sweetest girl on earth got me out.”
“I should like to hear about that girl.”
Marvin recounted the adventure of the cave.
“Going to marry her?”
“Yes, sir. She says not, but she’s mistaken.”
“What’s her objection?”
“I hate to confess it, but I don’t know.”
His lordship’s sunken eyes grew thoughtful and reminiscent.
“The one who pulled me out wanted cowries. Did you ever read about my black girl?”