"Pooh! I asked Ned to call her the Sea Foam."
"If I ever build a yacht on my own account, I shall certainly name her the Nellie Patterdale," continued Donald, though the remark cost him a terrible struggle.
"I thank you, Don John; but I hope you will never build one on your own account, then," answered she, with a slight blush.
"Why, wouldn't you like to have a boat named after you?" asked he, rather taken aback at her reply.
"I shouldn't like to have my whole name given to a boat. It is too long."
"O, well! Then I shall call her the Nellie."
"You are too late, Don John," laughed Laud Cavendish, who was standing within hearing distance, and who now stepped forward, raised his hat, bowed, and smirked. "I have already ordered the painter to inscribe that word on the bows and stern of the Juno, for I never liked her present name."
Nellie blushed deeper than before, but it was with anger this time, though she made no reply to Laud's impudent remark. At this moment Mr. Rodman invited the party to gather around the tables and partake of the collation.
"Will Miss Patterdale allow me to offer her my arm?" added Laud, as he thrust his elbow up before her.
"No, I thank you," she replied, walking towards the tables, but keeping at Donald's side.