"An' did he 'swing people at the yard-arm—with a bitter smile'?" 

 "Lots of 'em!" I answered. 

 "An' make them 'walk the plank—with a horrid laugh'?" 

 "By the hundred!" 

 "An' 'maroon them on a desolate island—with a low chuckle'?" 

 "Many a time," I answered; "and generally with chuckle." 

 "Oh. I should like to read about him!" said the Imp with a deep sigh; "will you lend me your book about him, Uncle Dick?" 

 I shook my head.  "Unfortunately, that, together with many other valued possessions, has been ravaged from me by the ruthless maw of Time," I replied sadly. 

 The Imp sat plunged in deep thought, trailing his fingers pensively in the water. 

 "And so your Auntie Lisbeth is going for a row with Mr. Selwyn, is she?" I said. 

 "Yes, an' I told her she could come an' be a pirate with me if she liked—but she wouldn't." 

 "Strange!" I murmured. 

 "Uncle Dick, do you think Auntie Lisbeth is in love with Mr. Selwyn?" 

 "What?" I exclaimed, and stopped rowing. 

 "I mean, do you think Mr. Selwyn is in love with Auntie Lisbeth?" 

 "My Imp. I'm afraid he is. Why?" 

 "Cause cook says he is, an' so does Jane, an' they know all about love, you know. I've heard them read it out of a book lots an' lots of times. But I think love is awfull' silly, don't you, Uncle Dick?" 

 "Occasionally I greatly fear so," I sighed. 

 "You wouldn't go loving anybody, would you, Uncle Dick?" 

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