"I don't like people to read what I mark."
"Why not?"
"It's like leaving your diary open. Why should people—"
"I'm not 'people.' Mayn't I know this tiny bit?—'Meditare utrum commodius sit, vel mortem transire ad nos vel nos ad eam.' What's that?"
Ethan only smiled.
"You never gave me back my watch."
"I forgot. No; I can't think why I tell such lies. I didn't forget at all. Oh, here comes Mrs. Ball," she said, with an accent of despair, "and we've not said a word about—"
"Bother Mrs. Ball!" Ethan ejaculated under his breath; and his cousin blessed him.
Val's hostess hurried down the bank, and Ethan handed her into the boat. Harry was left to cope with the basket.