"Not so bad as that, I hope," said Merefleet. And Seton laughed.
"You have the reputation for shunning celebrity," he remarked.
"So I understand," said Merefleet. "I hope the reputation will be my protection."
Young Seton became genial from that point onward. Without being communicative, he managed to convey the impression that he was quite prepared to be friendly. And for some reason unexplained Merefleet was pleased. He went to bed that night with somewhat revised ideas on the subject of society in general and the society of American girls in particular.
CHAPTER V
"Is this the gentleman as was to come and see me? Come in, sir. Come in! My old eyes ain't so sharp as they used to be, but I can see a many things yet."
And old Quiller, the fisherman, removed his sou'wester from his snowy head and peered at the visitor from under his hand.
"You don't know me, eh, Quiller?" Merefleet said.
He was surprised to hear a high voice from the interior of the cottage break in on the old man's hesitating reply.