“'Yes,' she ses. 'Yes, of course. But you're a big, strong man, and you can put up with things better.'
“She gave a little sigh, and we walked up and down for a time without saying anything.
“'And it's all father's foolishness,' she ses, at last; 'that's wot makes it so tiresome. I can't help a pack of silly young men writing to me, can I?'
“'No, I s'pose not,' I ses.
“'Thank you,' she ses, putting 'er little 'and on my arm. 'I knew that you were sensible. I've often watched you when I've been sitting alone on the schooner, longing for somebody to speak to. And I'm a good judge of character. I can read you like a book.'
“She turned and looked up at me. Beautiful blue eyes she'd got, with long, curling lashes, and teeth like pearls.
“'Father is so silly,' she ses, shaking her 'ead and looking down; 'and it's so unreasonable, because, as a matter of fact, I don't like young men. Oh, I beg your pardon, I didn't mean that. I didn't mean to be rude.'
“'Rude?' I ses, staring at her.
“'Of course it was a rude thing for me to say,' she ses, smiling; 'because you are still a young man yourself.'
“I shook my 'ead. 'Youngish,' I ses.