An old man advanced from a corner. "I told you it would not be long. It was only a slight concussion." "Slight concussion," grumbled Captain White, "combined with almost total drowning. Well, old boy, how do you feel?" "Shaken up. Did they get the child?" "Yes, squealing like a pig to think you'd left her." "Who got me out?" "I performed that little service. I was sitting, taking my dinner in the hotel, when I heard a great racket, and saw waiters running toward the pantry windows. I ran too,--saw you coming along under the hotel wall, ramming the child ahead; then, right within smell of good food, you went down like a stone. I went like another, thanking my lucky stars that I'm as much at home in the water as a rat, but I did better than you, for I took a rope with me. You know they always keep one at the hotel in case of accidents. I clutched you, and up we came together, thanks to the waiters. How are you now?" "Better. Where is Derrice?" "I don't know; out somewhere. I wish she would get home without hearing. Some one will have the kindness to frighten her to death. Sharks and tommy cods, here she comes! Look at your mother trying to stop her. What wild geese women are!" There was no stopping Derrice. With a deathly white face, and round, startled eyes, she flew straight to the bed, and, seeing the spots of crimson on her husband's bandaged head, slipped down beside him, and promptly fainted. "She ought to have been kept out," said Mrs. Prymmer, in annoyance, while she went to a drawer for hartshorn. In a few minutes the girl had recovered, and, seizing one of her husband's hands, knelt on the floor beside him, and buried her face in the bed-clothes. Not a word would she speak, even when addressed, until an hour had passed, and Mary had rung the supper bell from below. "Well, I suppose we've got to eat," said Captain White, sauntering along the hall, and looking in the door. "You don't feel like coming down, Justin?" "I believe I will lie still; my head is light yet." "I will stay with him. Go down, you all," and Mrs. Prymmer stared at Derrice, whom she never mentioned by name, if she could possibly avoid doing so. The girl raised her pale face. "I will stay with him." "No," said Mrs. Prymmer, obstinately. "You go down. I am his mother." "And I am his wife," exclaimed Derrice, springing to her feet. Mrs. Prymmer quailed before her haughty gesture. She was beaten, and, while Justin and Captain White maintained a discreet silence, she precipitated herself with angry celerity toward the staircase. Derrice waited until she heard her enter the dining-room; then she turned to her husband, who had raised himself on his elbow, and was staring fixedly at her, his breath coming hard and fast, his eyes bright with a strange expectancy. "Justin," she said, vehemently, "what is the matter with me? I feel as if I could strike any one that kept me from you."