It was nearly a month since Dick had sailed away from the Island, and the quiet country life had flowed peacefully on at the Ship without interruption. But Sue had not forgotten the little Spaniard. It was a continual source of amazement to her that she could have entertained a liking for him or even a thought when big handsome Ezekiel French was by, but she was not sure about Anny.
Sue had an observant eye, and she noticed that Hal and the girl were not so often together as they had used to be, and she drew her own conclusions. She had a kind heart, and she felt herself Anny’s guardian in a sense.
Poor, quaint, foolish little Anny, she thought, so fond of admiration, so willing to love and be loved, so pretty and so gentle; and then she thought of the Spaniard, with his bright, devil-may-care eyes, and full red lips, and she nodded her head into the darkness and leaned forward again.
“Anny,” she said distinctly.
“Ay.” Anny’s voice came clearly out of the dark corner.
“Have you been asleep yet?” whispered Sue.
“Nay.” Anny turned over on her side.
“Did you not hear me speak before?” the other girl persisted.
Anny sighed and turned back again.
“Nay, I have lain long a-thinking,” she said.