"An' did he 'swing people at the yard-arm—with a bitter smile'?"
"Lots of 'em!" I answered.
"An' make them 'walk the plank—with a horrid laugh'?"
"By the hundred!"
"An' 'maroon them on a desolate island—with a low chuckle'?"
"Many a time," I answered; "and generally with chuckle."
"Oh. I should like to read about him!" said the Imp with a deep sigh; "will you lend me your book about him, Uncle Dick?"
I shook my head. "Unfortunately, that, together with many other valued possessions, has been ravaged from me by the ruthless maw of Time," I replied sadly.
The Imp sat plunged in deep thought, trailing his fingers pensively in the water.
"And so your Auntie Lisbeth is going for a row with Mr. Selwyn, is she?" I said.