"No father," said Ralph; "I won't let my 'magination run 'way with me. I don't quite know what it means, father; but--I won't let it,--'cause then I shouldn't be close to you, father; and I love you best, and then Harriet, and then Robina." "Robina is a very fine girl," said his parent. "I like her very much; I am glad she is your friend." "So does I like her: she was my school-mother. I like Harriet too, father: I like her _awfu'_ much. I mustn't tell you nothing at all, but I like Harriet best of all my school-mothers." Mr Durrant thought for a short time over Ralph's little speech to him. It puzzled the good man not a little. He did not, however, lay it deeply to heart. The boy was under the influence of Harriet, and, truth to tell, Mr Durrant did not take to that young lady. He was, however, sufficiently interested in her to pay her a visit that same evening in her own room. She was a good deal startled and somewhat nonplussed when he first knocked at the door, then bent his tall head and entered the room. "Well, Harriet," he said, "I thought I would find out for myself how you are. I hope you are progressing well, and will soon be able to join the rest of us. It was strange how you and Ralph both caught cold the same day: it was very unlucky. How are you to-night, my dear girl?" "Better," said Harriet, changing colour as she spoke, for she was rather weak from her illness and was much excited by Mr Durrant's visit. "I am better," she continued; "I hope to be quite well by next week." "So do I hope you will be quite well, for time is speeding very fast, Harriet: the summer holidays go almost before we know they are with us. Now I have many expeditions in my mind's eye--expeditions in which I want you and Ralph to join. This is Saturday night. To-morrow is Sunday. To-morrow, I am going to leave home for a day or two, but on Monday I shall be back again. I hope by then to find you quite well and enjoying yourself with the rest of your school-fellows. Everything that man can do will be done for your pleasure, and I trust I shall find my little party without any invalids amongst them waiting to welcome me back on Monday evening at the latest." "And what is going to happen on Tuesday?" asked Harriet, whose eyes began to sparkle now, for she had suddenly lost her fear of Mr Durrant. "The weather is so fine at present," was his reply, "that I have chartered a yacht and am going to take you all for a cruise. What do you say to that? You are not likely to be sea-sick, are you?" "Never was sea-sick in the whole course of my life," said Harriet, dimpling all over her face now with anticipation.