"I hope you won't do anything of the kind," I answered promptly. Then, feeling that my remark, though true and distinctly well intended, was perhaps a trifle obscure, I hastened to add: "I never use the hut when I come here. I always sleep on the _Scandal_." "On the what?" she asked, opening her nice grey eyes. "On my boat," I explained. "I call her the _Scandal_ because she travels faster than anything else in Scotland." Her eyes sparkled. "I wonder if she could beat the _Penguin_? That's my boat. I've only hired her, but she goes like a bird." "Well, if you'll stay till tomorrow, we'll have a race," I said. She clasped her hands. "It would be fun, wouldn't it?" Then she paused. "But I don't think I ought to," she added regretfully. "Why not?" I asked. "Are you too proud to share an island?" She shrugged her shoulders, smiling. "No, I'm not proud; but it would put me in rather an awkward position if somebody found out." "Nobody will find out," I said reassuringly. "The only person who will ever know anything about it is Rufus, and he's a tactful dog--aren't you, my son?" Rufus, who was sitting up in expectation of some more biscuits, gave a corroborative wag of his tail. "Besides," I went on, "you ought to give me a chance of returning your hospitality. I was hoping you'd come and have breakfast with me on the _Scandal_ to-morrow." "Oh!" she said frankly, "I'd love to. Please don't think I'm being silly about it, but I really have to be careful what I'm doing. You see, I'm not supposed to be here at all." "Of course not," I said. "In fact, I don't believe you are here. Things like this don't happen in real life. I shall wake up in a minute and find you were just a delightful dream." She laughed merrily. "Well, have some more tea first," she suggested, holding out the pot. I waited until she had filled the cup, and then I asked her a question. "Now, I want you to tell me the truth," I said. "If I hadn't come blundering in here, how long were you going to stay on the island?" She hesitated for a moment. "The truth!" I repeated firmly. "Another three days," she admitted. "I have to be back on Friday." "Well," I said, "if you don't stay those three days, I shall never forgive myself. I really don't want to use either the hut or the island, on my honour. I've got my anchorage, and we shan't be in each other's way. In fact, you needn't see me at all if you don't want to." "But you've just asked me to breakfast," she objected. "You're not trying to back out of it now, are you?" "Then you'll stay!" I cried joyfully. Her eyes twinkled. "I might," she said, "if you can really guarantee the discretion of Rufus." I drank up three-quarters of my tea, and poured out the rest as a libation. "It just occurs to me," I said, "that I haven't introduced myself." She made a quick, protesting gesture with her hand.