“Be too heavy for you when you get as old as I am,” snarled the old man.
“I daresay,” said Leslie quietly; and they went off together.
“Luke’s in fine form this afternoon,” said Van Heldre, nodding and smiling.
“Yes,” said the brother, looking after him wistfully. “We shall wait till you come, Mr Leslie,” he shouted, giving vent to an afterthought.
The young man turned and waved his hand.
“Rather like Leslie,” said Van Heldre. “Maddy, you’ll have to set your cap at him.”
Madelaine looked up at him and laughed.
“Yes, poor Luke!” said Mr Vine thoughtfully, as he stooped and picked up a small net and a tin can, containing the treasures he had found in sundry rock pools. “I’m afraid we are a very strange family, Van,” he added, as they walked back towards the little town.
“Very, old fellow,” said his friend smiling. “I’ll be with you before Leslie gets back, wife and the necessary change of dress permitting.”