"No, it would not last long!" said Magnus ironically. "First Rig begins: 'Hello, Kin! Most through? Lose your breakfast?' And Crane: 'Say, Kin! Come and bless what's left on our table.' And Crinkem would yell: 'Shut up, and let him alone! He's praying for strength to eat the steak.'" The girl's colour flitted back and forth as he spoke; then her eyes lighted up. "It does not sound pleasant," she said; "but Magnus, if I were you, I think I would try it." "I don't doubt you would," said Magnus, thinking his own thoughts. "Sixty feet long in all weathers. But Cerise, besides all that, there isn't time. We have but just so many minutes for breakfast, anyhow; and while I had my eyes shut, somebody else might get my roll. No great gain, but still a loss." "That would be very sad," said Cherry, with a comical smile. "But then, you would enjoy the rest so much better. Magnus," she went on seriously, "did you ever think how many faint-hearted Christians there may be in the crowd who would take courage from you to do right?" "And so help me face the silence?" "It is grand to face wrong things for right reasons!" said Cherry, her eyes like two opals, showing their hidden fire. "'And they departed from the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.'" Magnus looked at her. "Yes, talk to me," he said. "I want all the talking to I can get. But I can tell you, Cerise--do you mind my calling you so?"--he broke off abruptly. "Why, no," the girl answered. "It does not sound quite natural." "Not like old times--no, of course not. Well, would you like Chérie better? I think I should," said Mr. Kindred, watching the pink tinges with a delightful sense of having the reins in his own hands again. "It is more closely descriptive, and just as good for my French." "You are without question the most absurd boy this side of West Point!" said Cherry. "Have you emptied your strawberry basket? I must put these things away." "We must, indeed," said Magnus, handling dishes and bearing them off into the house. "You know I have come to take you back with me?" "Have you! It might have been wise--not to say civil--to state that before." "But I don't want to go," said Magnus. "I'd rather have you all to myself here." "Well, will you please stop practising your favourite wave motion, and keep out of my way?" said Cherry, much hindered in her progress by finding Magnus before her at every turn. "Haven't studied it yet,--so there. Now, Cherry, you surely did not mind what I said about wave motion?" "Why should I mind?" "I mean what I said about women's not needing to learn it." "If all the men understand it through and through, that might leave the women free for other work," said Cherry critically, as if she were weighing the case. "Ah!" said Magnus; "now you are beginning to talk like yourself. I haven't half known you since I came home. Tease away, ma Chérie."