“I’m sure Archie won’t touch the nasty thing, uncle.”
“Oh, won’t I?” cried the lad. “Only too glad of the chance.”
Minnie made a grimace and turned away, but turned back directly on hearing Archie’s next words:
“I say, Doctor, that woman shows how the people here like you.”
“Well, yes,” said the gentleman addressed, “I suppose they do feel a little obliged; but I don’t think they care much.”
“Oh, uncle,” cried Minnie, “I am sure they do. See how pleased that boatman was—that man who came up to you out of the sampan, and who brought us that fish afterwards. Why, I believe that he would have done anything for you.”
“I believed once that he was going to do something for me, my dear.”
“Now, don’t talk nonsense, my dear,” said Mrs Morley. “I told you not to talk about that.”
“You did, Mary. But it was an awkward position; wasn’t it, Minnie?”
“I agree with aunt, uncle, that a lot of it was invention.”