Flora did as she was told.
Presently the paper floated just beneath the spot where they were standing.
"Ah!" cries Flora, with feigned surprise, "we must be near land. See—there is a piece of white paper."
"Pshaw! Paper indeed! where are your eyes? It is a feather—a white feather, belonging to some sea-fowl or other."
"A goosle, perhaps, Mr. Lootie. But no, it is what I say, a piece of paper."
"A feather, Madam, a feather!"
"Why, there's writing upon it; I see the letters."
"Nonsense, it is a feather, speckled with black and grey. I'll swear it's a feather!" and his shrill voice rose almost to a scream.
Lyndsay joined the disputants, hardly able to keep from laughing in the face of the angry little elf. "Flora, did you see the piece of paper I flung overboard just now? I thought it would set you wondering?"
"Now, Mr. Lootie, what do you say to your feather?"