Adolphus paused, expecting to be questioned; but Dotty maintained a discreet silence.
"The water is a very bright red, I know; but I never could believe that story about the giant's having the nose-bleed, and coloring the whole sea with blood. Did you ever hear of that?"
"No, I never," replied Dotty, gravely. "You needn't tell it, Dollyphus. I'm too tired to talk."
Adolphus felt rather piqued as the little girl turned away her head and steadily gazed out of the window at the trees and houses flying by. It appeared very much as if she suspected he had been making sport of her.
"She isn't a perfect ignoramus, after all," he thought; "that last lie was a little too big."
After this he sat for some time watching his little companion, anxious for an opportunity to assure her that these absurd stories had been spun out of his own brain. But Dotty never once turned her face towards him. She was thinking,—
"P'rhaps he's a good boy; p'rhaps he's a naughty boy: but I shan't believe him till I ask my father."
At Portsmouth, Captain Lally and son left the cars, much to Dotty's relief, though they did carry away the beautiful Spanish rabbit; and it seemed to the child as if a piece of her heart went with it.
"Is my little girl tired?" said Mr. Parlin, putting an arm around Dotty.
"No, papa, only I'm thinking. The north pole is top of the world—isn' it? As much as five hundred miles off?"