Phillis leaned forward, watching Jack with a look of rapturous delight.
"Damn the ship!" said Jack softly, after three or four minutes' strenuous backing.
"Don't swear at the boat, Jack," Phillis broke in, with her low laugh and musical voice.
Jack looked round. There was his goddess standing on the bank, clapping her hands with delight. He gave a vigorous pull, which drove the boat half-way up to shore and sprang out.
"Jack, you must not use words that sound bad. Oh, how glad I am to see you! I think you look best in flannels, Jack."
"You here, Phil? I thought it was a mile higher up."
"Did you know where I was gone to?"
"Yes, I found out. I asked Colquhoun, and he told me. But he did not offer to introduce me to Mrs. L'Estrange; and so I thought I would—I thought that perhaps if I rowed up the river, you know, I might perhaps see you."
"O Jack," she replied, touched by this act of friendship, "did you really row up in the hope of seeing me? I am so glad. Will you come in and be introduced to Agatha,—that is, Mrs. L'Estrange? I have not yet told her about you, because we had so many things to say."
"Let us sit down and talk a little first. Phil, you look even better than when you were at Carnarvon Square. Tell me what you are doing."