Page 175 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

Sylvia got off the skylight on which she had been sitting,
and surveyed the smoking animal beside her with profound
contempt.
‘Mr. Frere, you are really a most ignorant person. Excuse
me if I hurt your feelings; I have no wish to do that; but real-
ly you are a most ignorant person—for your age, of course.’
Maurice Frere grew a little angry. ‘You are very imperti-
nent, Sylvia,’ said he.
‘Miss Vickers is my name, Lieutenant Frere, and I shall
go and talk to Mr. Bates.’
Which threat she carried out on the spot; and Mr. Bates,
who had filled the dangerous office of pilot, told her about
divers and coral reefs, and some adventures of his—a little
apocryphal—in the China Seas. Frere resumed his smoking,
half angry with himself, and half angry with the provok-
ing little fairy. This elfin creature had a fascination for him
which he could not account for.
However, he saw no more of her that evening, and at
breakfast the next morning she received him with quaint
haughtiness.
‘When shall we be ready to sail? Mr. Frere, I’ll take some
marmalade. Thank you.’
‘I don’t know, missy,’ said Bates. ‘It’s very rough on the
Bar; me and Mr. Frere was a soundin’ of it this marnin’, and
it ain’t safe yet.’
‘Well,’ said Sylvia, ‘I do hope and trust we sha’n’t be ship-
wrecked, and have to swim miles and miles for our lives.’
‘Ho, ho!’ laughed Frere; ‘don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of
you.’

1 For the Term of His Natural Life