Mavis nodded with bright eyes. "You know--the Peri Banou's brother in 'The Arabian Nights.' His real name is Arnold--Mr. Arnold: but I call him Schaibar because he is a dwarf, with a long beard and a short temper. He used to recite poetry, and I learned to recite also. But Schaibar has gone away," she said, with a falling cadence. "Months ago he went to Australia, and promised to write, but he did not." "You could not read what he wrote, Mavis?" "I could hear it! Schaibar should send me a record, in the same way as I sent you my message. But he has not done so, and yet he was so fond of me. I cannot understand it!" And Mavis sighed. "From your mention of Australia, it seems that you know geography also." "Oh yes, of course I do! Schaibar drew the maps, and told me where cities, and mountains, and lakes, and rivers were. I carry it all in my head." "And you cannot read or write?" asked Gerald, with a passing recollection of "The Golden Butterfly" heroine. "No; the Ogre said that my brain was not strong enough to learn!" "The Ogre!" said Haskins, forgetting. "My guardian--Major Rebb. He says that lots and lots of girls never learn to read or write." "Liar!" thought Haskins: but he suppressed the opprobrious name, and merely remarked anxiously: "But you don't feel your brain weak?" "Oh no! oh no! I could learn anything, I think. I have never had a day's illness in my life." "Do you ever feel dizzy?" "No! Why should I?" "Do you ever get into a rage and want to strike Bellaria?" Mavis laughed wonderingly. "I should be foolish to do that! Poor Bellaria doesn't mean to be cross, and, if she cannot keep her temper, I must. I wouldn't strike her or anyone, even if I were in a rage. Do you strike people when you are angry?" Gerald coughed. He had a vivid recollection of schoolfights, and of horsewhipping a scandal-monger, much later in life. "It is necessary sometimes, Mavis," he remarked: "the world is not inhabited entirely by agreeable people." "Oh, I know that!" she said quickly, "the old gardener, Matthew, who came to help me from Leegarth, is very disagreeable, and he seems to be a little afraid of me. I don't know why, and I am very sorry. I want everyone to love me." "Doesn't Major Rebb?" "Yes! in a way. But he is cold. He never kisses me. If you like a person don't you kiss her?" "If she's a very nice person I do," said Haskins, bubbling over with laughter, "now you----" His eyes completed the sentence. "You love me?" "Yes, Mavis!" he answered unhesitatingly. Gerald scorned a lie. "Then of course----" She bent forward, and, in spite of Gerald's virtuous resolutions, their lips would have met, but that a deep contralto voice boomed from the quadrangle calling on Mavis angrily. "Oh!" the girl flung back her head, "there is Bellaria calling me to supper. I must go or she may find you. But come again, and I'll kiss you--you---- Oh! what is your name?" "Gerald!" he replied softly.