“I can’t,” answered Kitty, “for I have promised to go to the village with Miss Roy and Nora.”
“Do you refuse me?” asked the Captain, putting on his most quizzical expression.
“No; of course not, Uncle Peter. I shall be delighted,” she answered.
He took her hand and helped her out of her hammock, and they were soon going by their favourite walk in the woods to the seashore.
“How silent you are, Nancy! Are you not going to cheer me up and make my walk pleasant?” asked Uncle Peter.
“I think I have a headache,” replied Nancy. “Anyhow, I feel rather dull.” Then she looked suddenly up at the Captain, and said with eager emphasis, “I know what I really want. I want to ask you a question.”
“Certainly, my dear little girl; what is it?”
“Will you answer it without thinking that it has anything to do with me?”
“I will try, Nancy.”
The Captain’s eyes were dancing as he fixed them on Nancy’s flushed face.