"It's strange you should like Jack so much dear Thames. He doesn't resemble you at all."
"The very reason why I like him, Winny. If he did resemble me, I shouldn't care about him. And, whatever you may think, I assure you, Jack's a downright good-natured fellow."
Good-natured fellows are always especial favourites with boys. And, in applying the term to his friend, Thames meant to pay him a high compliment. And so Winifred understood him.
"Well," she said, in reply, "I may have done Jack an injustice. I'll try to think better of him in future."
"And, if you want an additional inducement to do so, I can tell you there's no one—not even his mother—whom he loves so well as you."
"Loves!" echoed Winifred, slightly colouring.
"Yes, loves, Winny. Poor fellow! he sometimes indulges the hope of marrying you, when he grows old enough."
"Thames!"
"Have I said anything to offend you?"
"Oh! no. But if you wouldn't have me positively dislike Jack Sheppard, you'll never mention such a subject again. Besides," she added, blushing yet more deeply, "it isn't a proper one to talk upon."