“I’m expecting to have a lovely time, captain,” she remarked. “Zoe has been telling me about the magic cave.”
“Has she? and would you like to step into the conservatory and see the alterations we have made there?”
“Yes, indeed!” she answered, and he led the way.
They were quite alone, and after she had seen and made her comments upon what had been done, he asked:
“Would my little sister like to do her big, biggest brother, a favor?”
“Do you one, do you mean, captain? Certainly; if it’s in my power.”
“Thank you,” he said, then added with gravity, “I regret that you apparently consider me so fond of my title. Would it be difficult or disagreeable to you to say Brother Levis instead of captain?”
“Not very,” she returned, laughing; “but the title is more convenient; and it’s for that reason I use it; not because I ever have imagined you to be proud or fond of it.”
“Well,” he said, “if I were in your place I think I’d use the other; especially if ever the tables should be turned so that I wanted to ask a favor of my biggest and oldest brother.”
“If you really care to have me do so, I might try,” she replied with a merry look up into his face. “But is that the only favor you have to ask?”