Straight on went the girl, never turning head or eyes as she passed the group on the piazza and vanished round the corner, though it was evident that she heard the laugh the last speech produced, for the color deepened in her cheeks and her step quickened. The boy, however, returned the glances bent upon him, and answered the smiles with such a cheerful grin that the youth with the cigarette called out,—
"Good-morning, Skipper! Where do you hail from?"
"Island, yender," answered the boy, with a gesture of his thumb over his shoulder.
"Oh, you are the lighthouse-keeper, are you?"
"No, I ain't; me and Gramper's fishermen now."
"Your name is Flucker Johnstone, and your sister's Christie, I think?" added the youth, enjoying the amusement of the young ladies about him.
"It's Sammy Bowen, and hern's Ruth."
"Have you got a Boaz over there for her?"
"No, we've got a devil-fish, a real whacker."
This unexpected reply produced a roar from the gentlemen, while the boy grinned good-naturedly, though without the least idea what the joke was. Pretty Miss Ellery, who had been told that she had "a rippling laugh," rippled sweetly as she leaned over the railing to ask,—
"Are those lilies in your pails? I want some if they are for sale."
"Sister 'll fetch 'em round when she's left the lobs. I ain't got none; this is bait for them fellers." And as if reminded of business by the yells of several boys
7
