Page 41 (1/2)

"Again, I beg your pardon," I said "I hadn't expected-"

She eyed me cal-roouests without awe I didn't knohat I had

expected or had not expected, and sheested fifteen or sixteen-not

the case there was no reason why I should not be master

of the situation As I fumbled my pipe the hot coals

of tobacco burned hed a little and watched the pipe bound from

the dock into the water

"Too bad!" she said, her eyes upon it; "but if you

hurry you estion," I said But I did

not relish the idea of kneeling on the dock to fish for a

pipe before a strange school-girl as, I felt sure,

anxious to laugh at me

She took a step toward the line by which her boat was

fastened

"Allow me"

"If you think you can,-safely," she said; and the

laughter that lurked in her eyes annoyed ned for the confusion of

vainly at the rope, which

was tied securely in unfaht that

she was probably laughing at ers atha's is undoubtedly

a woraduate