"I should be attentive enough, but your sister seems to prefer the attentions of the parson's boy." "What, Beck? Oh, he's nobody. Besides, he'll be off to sea directly, and you'll be married and have a family before he comes back. That is, if--" "If? What do you mean?" "The governor has not thrown you over, and Neil has not knocked your head off." "Propound, O, Sphinx. Read me the riddle." "I mean that if the governor sees you so attentive to Saxa, he'll cry off, and if Neil notices it he will pitch into you. I should if I saw you hanging after Dana as you do after her sister." "Rubbish, man! A few civil words to a lady who rides well." "Sort of civil words the dad does not understand in his quiet, old-fashioned way. I suppose it is to be Isabel, is it not?" "Of course; that is understood." "Very well, then, behave yourself, and don't let Neil see anything, for he is as hot and peppery as--" "You are." "If you like. He's down, you know." "Who is? Your brother?" "Yes. Came down by the mail, and got in here by three this morning, I suppose. I have not seen him yet." "Well, I like that," said Sir Cheltnam. "Like what?" "Your lecturing me about being inattentive to your sister. Here's the blue-jacket again." "What nonsense! He has always been like one of us. We were schoolboys together, and he has come here, as Neil and I used to go to the vicarage, just as if it was our own home." "Oh, all right. I should not have said a word but for the wigging I had." "Good-morning," cried the young lieutenant, walking his horse up to where they stood. "Neil down yet?" "No," replied Alison. "Yes, he is. That's being a doctor. I believe these fellows can do without sleep. You knew he had come, then?" "Yes; heard it from the postman. Ah, Neil, old fellow!" The young doctor came up looking rather pale, but in no wise like one who had been travelling all night, and shook hands warmly with all, supplementing the grasp of his hand with a clap on the young sailor's shoulder of a very warm and friendly nature. "You are here early, Burwood," he said. "Yes. Mr Elthorne planned one of his rides yesterday; weather's so fine. On the make-your-hay-while-the-sun-shines principle. He wants me to try his new horse for him." Five minutes later the young men had paired off and were strolling down the garden, waiting for the breakfast bell, which was always rung as soon as the head of the family came down. "I'm so glad you've come down, Neil," said Beck eagerly. "Why?" "I wanted a chat with you before I sail. I did think of coming to the hospital, but I don't believe I could have said what I wanted there." Neil fixed his eyes upon his companion. "What is it?" he said. "You don't want to borrow money?" "Oh, hang it, no!" "What is it, then?" The young man was silent, and began to break the twigs of the shrubs they were passing. "Don't do that, boy, unless you want to make my father wroth."