'And I am sure you do always the latter?'
'Oh, not quite always. Sometimes I want money for something, and then I sell the oranges; but it is only if there be a wreck, or a boat lost at sea, or a death or a birth. Of course I want nothing for myself; grandfather does not let me want, but he is not fond of giving to others, he likes to keep money locked up, and see it grow slowly bit upon bit like the coral. Do you like that? Myself, I think there is no pleasure at all in money except to give it away.'
'But whom do you give it to? You are all alone on your island.'
'There are the people who work for us; and then I know so many on the coast. I have come and gone between this and the mainland so many many times, ever since I was a baby. It is such a good life being on the sea; so long as I have the water I never want anything else. Some of them call me la mouette.'
'It is the best of all lives. I am much on the sea myself,' said her companion, who hated the sea.
'You have a boat then?'
'I have a yacht; yes.'
'All to yourself?'
'Yes; to go about in as I fancy. I shall be delighted if you will sail in it some day.'