Captain January

up from her book, "I don't be

ly, but made no attem

n when people reads. And you ought not to be rude, Imogen!" After which short lecture, Star turned to her book aga

hill, o

ush, thoro

rk, ove

lood, thor

nder ev

an the moo

ve the fa

orbs upon

is, Imogen?" asked Star,

her neck) was paying no attention whatever to the reading; for she had fairly turned her back, and wa

eizing the delinquent's horns,

d of you! You're a disgrace to me, Imogen. Why, you are as ignorant as a-as-

all pink shoulder, and uttered a soft and apologeti

Willum Shakespeare, that I love more-well, no! not more than I love you, Imo

u poor dear, you are only a cow, and I don't suppose you know." And then she hugged Imogen, and

Shakespeare. So I will tell you. It is really part of my story, but Daddy Captain didn't get as far as that last night, so I think I wil

to be. I want a book, or maybe a couple of books, that'll edicate me in a manner all round!' he says. 'I couldn't do with a lot of 'em,' he says, ''cause I ain't used to it, and it makes things go round inside my head. But I think I could tackle two if they was fustrate,' he says. The minister laughed, and told Daddy he wanted a good deal. Then he asked him if he had the Good Book. That's the Bible, you know, Imogen. Daddy Captain won't let me read that to you, because you are a beast that perish. Poor dear!" she leaned forward and kissed Imogen's pink nose. "And Daddy said of course he had that, only the letters weren't so clear as they used to be, somehow, perhaps along of getting wet in his weskit pocket, being he carried it along always. So the minister gave him a new big BEAUTIFUL Bible, Imogen! It isn't so new now, but it's just as big and beautiful, and I love it. And then he thought for a long time, the minister did, walking about the room and looking at all the books. The whole room was full of books, Daddy says, all on shelves, 'cept some on the floor and the table and the chairs. It made

ld started up, and turned to meet the newcomer with a joyous smile. "Why, Bob!" she cried, seizing one of his

oking brown eyes, an apologetic smile, and a bass voice of appalling depth and power. "Boat's aground," he repeated, seating himself on the grass a

the child, severely. "A pretty pilot you are!

. Then finding a bit of sorrel, he fell upon it wi

er get Daddy to steer your boat. He doesn't mind fog. Are the

fter a pause of meditative chewing: "Like

eople. But you might just row me round her once, Bob," she added. "I t

und?" inq

noticed before that you looked like Imogen. Why, you are the very image of her, Bob! Your eyes and your expression are exactly th

on't believe there's another such cow in the world. I know there isn't! I think," she added, "I will

he small hands which clasped her horns. Ah! who will paint me that picture, as my mind's eye sees it? The blue of sky and sea, the ripples breaking in silver on silver sand, the jewelled green, where the l

ocks. He paused, and stood for some time in silence, watching the little well-beloved figure. "W

ch a fine ride! It isn't quite as high as a heaven-kissing hill, but it's a heaven-kissing cow,

y kindly, but I don't believe I will try it. Ridin' was never, so as to say, in my line. I'm stiddy enough on my own pins, bu

e mishap which had befallen the boat, and a

l be a nice trip for ye, Honeysuckle. Put on your bunni

, little Star went with Bob Peet, in his old black boat, to see

the water, just for the pleasure of popping them back again. Star dipped her hands in the blue crystal below, and sang little snatches of song, being light of heart and without a care in the world. They were no nursery songs th

ber's comi

tlemen! clear a

and t'othe

er's comin

re," and "Blow a Man Down," and half a dozen other salt-water ditties: and it might have been

was a w

! hei

was a

Fra

pped the

! hei

pped the

Fra

went t

heigh!

hook the little skiff from stem to stern. By the time that "Boney" was safely consigned to his grave in sunny

to wave a greeting to some of her acquaintances among the crew; for she knew them all, from the black-bearded captain down to the tiniest cabin-boy; and they, for their part, were always eager-good souls!-for a smile or a nod from the "Star of Light Island." Not a man of them but envied Bob P

nother and a more famous captain, the beloved David Dodd. So Bob was free to come and go as he lik

Bob lay on his oars, and both looked up at the great boat, now only a few yards away. The decks were crowded wi

dding towards the after-deck, which

afraid. 'And the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth.' And it's so stupid!" she added, after a moment's p

hot spells-v'yages." He added, with an approach to a twinkle in his meek and cow-li

d by a sudden and violent

d jagged rocks, and quills upon the fretful porkypine, so I do! How dare you say such things to me, Bob Peet? How dare you?" She paused, breathless, but with flashing eyes and b

er-rumble. "Poor ol' Bob-eh, Missy? Sorry, beg

th a forgiving nod, took out her own little handkerchief

y more than I would with Imogen, though even she provokes me sometimes. So I forgive you, Bob. Bu

ted Bob. "Nat'ra

he Huntress, and people admired the "playfulness" of the pretty child i

ail. "She is a perfect little fury! I never saw a pair of eyes flash so. Very fine eyes they are,

his arm away, and leaned forward

e, "I want to know who that child is. I must

. Their eyes met, and the little child in the pink calico frock, and the stately lady in the India shawl, gazed

"the child looks like

cried, "Take me away, Bob! take me home

id Bob Peet.