"You air not Frainch?" he asks with a scrutinising side glance out of his fine eyes.
"I am happy to say that I am an American, and so are my ancestors for three hundred years."
"Naixt to dthe Frainch, dthe American ladies air most beautiful, charmante and clevair, but you haf chic, and more dthings; you might be angry I vould say. Vhen I stood at dthe ship and see you coming abord du San Miguel I vas so happy, for I haf fear for a dull voyage."
"H'm! You fancy then I may entertain you?"
"Mademoiselle!"
Very reproachful is the droop of the long lashes.
"It ess my gude hope ve may be friends, and if I succeed to amuse you, I am content à présent."
"And what office do you aspire to in the future? Shall you instruct, perhaps?"
"Dthat ees more your rôle, for if you pairmeet me to listen to your so beautiful Eenglish, I must learn much. But you will let me spik to you a leedle in Frainch, mademoiselle? Dthere air zome dthings I cannot say in Eenglish."
We stop at the vessel's side, and in a glance across to Mrs. Steele I see her looking with wide-eyed amusement and a dash of concern at my companion. I turn in time to catch a queer, earnest look in the boyish face, as he stands with one hand grasping the rope ladder and his head bent down to mine.