"Hullo, Anna!" and a nautically attired gentleman hove in sight, waving his hat as he hailed her. She started at the unceremonious salute and looked back. Then her whole face brightened beautifully as she sprang up the bank, saying, with a pretty mixture of hesitation and pleasure,-- "Why, Frank, is that you?" "Do you doubt it?" And the new-comer shook both her hands so vigorously that she winced a little as she said, laughing,-- "No, I don't. That is the old squeeze with extra power in it." "How are you? Going for a pull? Take me along and show me the lions. There's a good soul." "With pleasure. When did you come?" asked Anna, settling the black ribbon under the sailor collar which set off her white throat charmingly. "Last night. I caught a glimpse of you at tea; but you were surrounded then and vanished immediately afterward. So when I saw you skipping over the rocks just now, I gave chase, and here I am. Shall I take an oar?" asked Frank, as she motioned him to get in. "No, thank you. I prefer to row myself and don't need any help," she answered, with an imperious little wave of the hand; for she was glad to show him she could do something besides dance, dress, and flirt. "All right. Then I'll do the luxurious and enjoy myself." And, without offering to help her in, Frank seated himself, folded his arms, stretched out his long legs, and placidly remarked,-- "Pull away, skipper." Anna was pleased with his frank and friendly greeting, and, feeling as if old times had come again, sprang in, prepared to astonish him with her skill. "Might I suggest that you"--began Frank, as she pushed off. "No suggestions or advice allowed aboard this ship. I know what I'm about, though I _am_ a woman," was the severe answer, as the boat glided from the wharf. "Ay, ay, sir!" And Frank meekly subsided, with a twinkle of amusement in the eyes that rested approvingly on the slender figure in a blue boating suit and the charming face under the sailor hat. Anna paddled her way dexterously out from among the fleet of boats riding at anchor in the little bay; then she seated herself, adjusted one oar, and looked about for the other rowlock. It was nowhere visible; and, after a silent search, she deigned to ask,-- "Have you seen the thing anywhere?" "I saw it on the bank." "Why didn't you tell me before?" "I began to, but was quenched; so I obeyed orders." "You haven't forgotten how to tease," said Anna, petulantly. "Nor you to be wilful." She gave him a look that would have desolated most men; but only made Frank smile affably as she paddled laboriously back, recovered the rowlock and then her temper, as, with a fine display of muscle, she pulled out to sea. Getting into the current, she let the boat drift, and soon forgot time and space in the bewildering conversation that followed. "What have you been doing since I saw you last?" she asked, looking as rosy as a milkmaid, as she stopped rowing and tied up her wind-tossed hair.