But what was this that lay at my feet? A woman, lashed to a spar, and apparently dead. When I picked her up, though, she opened her eyes and shut them again. Enough! this was no time to think of peculiar difficulties. I lugged her to the warm room in the light-house where I sat and lived. I put her before the fire; I heated some brandy and poured it between her lips; in short, when I sat down to my little tea-table late that afternoon, somebody sat on the opposite side--a woman--a girl, rather, not more than eighteen or nineteen. Here she was, and here she must remain for two long months. _She_ did not seem half so much put out as I. In fact, she was quite calm, after she had explained to me that she was one of three passengers on board the sailing-vessel, and that all the others were drowned. "You will have to remain here for two months," I ventured to explain to her, coloring like a lobster dabbed into hot water. "Oh, then, I may as well begin pouring the tea at once," she observed coolly; "that's a feminine duty, you know, sir." "I'm glad you're not afraid of me," I ventured to say. "Afraid of you!" she replied, tittering. "No, indeed. It is _you_ who are afraid of _me_. But I sha'n't hurt you, sir. You mind your affairs, and I'll mind mine, and neither of us will come to grief. Why, what a lot of books you've got! And such an easy-chair! It's just splendid here, and so romantic, like the stories we read." I repressed a groan, and allowed her, after supper, and she had done as she said--washed the dishes--to take possession of my favorite book and my favorite seat. She was tired with her adventures of the night before, and soon asked where she was to sleep. "In there," I answered, pointing to the door of a small bedroom which opened out of the living-room. She went in, and locked the door; and I went up to the lantern to see that all was right, and to swear and tear around a little. Here was a two-months'-long embarrassment! Here was all my old trouble back in a new shape! What would my folks--what would the world say? Would they believe the story about the wreck? Must my character suffer? Even at the best, I must face this girl of the period from morning until night. She had already discovered that I was bashful; she would take advantage of it to torment me. What would the rude men say when they came again with supplies? Better measure tape in my father's store for a lot of teasing young ladies whom I know, than dwell alone in a light-house with this inconsiderate young woman! "If ever I get out of this scrape, I will know when I am well off!" I moaned, tearing my hair, and gazing wildly at the pitiless lights.