"Oh," exclaimed Herbert, looking round, "it's the gentleman that tells such nice stories! Good-morning, sir. We're glad to see you, too." "Yes, indeed," assented Harold offering his hand, which the stranger grasped and shook heartily. "We're having a splendid time skipping stones. Did you ever do it?" "Many a time when I was a little chap like you, I used to be a famous hand at it. Let's see if I can equal you now." He was soon apparently as completely engrossed with the sport as any of them, yet through it all was furtively watching Vi and Rosie as they strolled slowly onward, now stooping to pick up a shell or pausing a moment to gaze out over the wide expanse of waters, then sauntering on again in careless, aimless fashion, thoroughly enjoying the entire freedom from ordinary tasks and duties. The boys knew nothing about their new companion except what they had seen of him on board the vessel; their mother had not understood who was their story-telling friend, and in the excitement of the storm and the hasty visit to the city, he had been quite forgotten by all three. Nor were any of the family aware of his vicinity; thus it happened that the lads had not been warned against him. Vi, however, had seen him with Virginia and knew from what passed directly afterward between her grandfather and aunt (though she did not hear the conversation) that the stranger was not one whom Mr. Dinsmore approved. Not many minutes had passed before she looked back, and seeing that she had left her brothers some distance behind, hastily began to retrace her footsteps, Rosie with her. The instant they turned to do so, the captain, addressing Harold, artfully inquired, "Do you know that young lady?" "I should think so! she's my own sister," said the boy proudly. "The little one too." "Pretty girls, both of them. Won't you introduce me?" "Yes, I suppose so," returned the boy a little doubtfully, and taking a more critical survey of his new acquaintance than he had thought necessary before; "you--you're a gentleman and a good man, aren't you?" "Don't I look like it?" laughed the captain. "Would you take me for a rogue?" "I--I don't believe you'd be a burglar or a thief, but----" "Well?" "Please don't think I mean to be rude, sir, but you broke the third commandment a minute ago." "The third? which is that? for I really don't remember." "I thought you'd forgotten it," said Herbert. "It's the one that says, 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,'" answered Harold, in low reverent tones. "I own to being completely puzzled," said the captain. "I certainly haven't been swearing." "No, not exactly; but you said, 'By George,' and 'By Heaven,' and mamma says such words are contrary to the spirit of the command, and that no one who is a thorough gentleman and Christian will ever use them." "That's a very strict rule," he said, lifting his cap and bowing low to Violet, who was now close at hand.