"I don't think you put it in that way exactly, Nelly; but I will grant that between your fits of crying you used to assert over and over again that you did not believe that they were killed. And now, my dear boy, tell us how this seeming miracle has come about." Then they sat down quietly, and Dick told the whole story; and Mrs. Hargreaves warmly congratulated him on the manner in which they had escaped, and upon the presence of mind they had shown. Then she in turn told him what they had gone through and suffered. Edith burst into tears, and left the room, and her mother presently went after her. "Well, Nelly, I have seen a lot since I saw you, have I not?" "Yes, you are a dear, brave boy, Dick," the girl said. "Even though I am a monkey, eh?" Dick answered. "And did you really cry when you thought I was dead?" "Yes," the girl said demurely; "I always cry when I lose my pets. There was the dearest puppy I ever had--" Dick laughed quietly. "Who is the monkey now?" he asked. "I am," she said frankly; "but you know I can't help teasing you, Dick." "Don't balk yourself, Nelly, I like it. I should like to be teased by you all my life," he said in lower tones. The girl flushed up rosy red. "If you could always remain as you are now," she said after a little pause, "just an impudent midshipman, I should not mind it. Do you know, Dick, they give terriers gin to prevent their growing; don't you think you might stop yourself? It is quite sad," she went on pathetically, "to think that you may grow up into a great lumbering man." "I am quite in earnest, Nelly," Dick said, looking preternaturally stern. "Yes," Nelly said, "I have always understood midshipmen were quite in earnest when they talked nonsense." "I am quite in earnest," Dick said solemnly and fixedly again. "No, really, Dick, we are too old for that game," Nelly said, with a great affectation of gravity. "I think we could enjoy hide-and-seek together, or even blindman's buff; but you know children never play at being little lovers after they are quite small. I remember a dear little boy, he used to wear pinafores----" Here Mrs. Hargreaves again entered the room, and Dick, jumping up suddenly, said that it was quite time for him to be off. "I shall only just have time to be back by the time I promised." "Good-by, Dick. I hope to see you again tomorrow." Edith came in, and there was a hearty shake of the hand all round, except that Dick only touched the tips of Nelly's fingers, in a manner which he imagined betokened a dignified resentment, although as he looked up and saw the girl's eyes dancing with amusement, he could scarcely flatter himself that it had produced any very serious effect. Dick returned in an indignant mood to the naval brigade, which was quartered in the Shah Nujeeff's mosque and gardens.