"But I was such a little child," said Dolly.
"Ay," said he; "that was it. You were such a little child."
"But you must have been a very extraordinary midshipman, it seems to me."
"By the same rule you must have been a very extraordinary little girl."
They both laughed at that.
"I suppose we were both extraordinary," said Dolly; "but, really, Mr. Shubrick, you know very little about me!"
His answer to that was to kiss again the hand he held.
"What do you know of me?"
"I think I know a great deal about you," said Dolly softly.
"You have a great deal to learn. Wouldn't you like to begin by hearing how Miss Thayer and I came to an understanding?"