h. There was a rush past the little window, and then Ned
bustled into the room, bringing with him a breath of strong sea air and
also of the odours of the mackerel-boat.

'They've comed, granny! The mackerrow has comed into our bay, and
we're goin' out agin---- Evenin', miss! I--I didn't see you before.'
Ned's cap was off, and he stood, colouring up, before the young lady
sitting on the stool and looking at him out of her clear, earnest eyes.

'Ned,' said Theo, somewhat gravely, 'I want a quiet talk with you, one
of these days soon.'

'Yes, miss.'

'Not to-morrow,' went on Theo. And Ned gave a gasp of relief,
unobserved by her. He was secretly thankful that Miss Theedory had not
fixed on the morrow, seeing it was the day of the proposed bird-hunt in
Brattlesby Woods. 'We are all going across to the Vicarage to tea
to-morrow,' continued the young lady; and Ned's relief changed to
dismay. 'By the way, Ned, we shall be so glad to see you at the
schoolroom tea at six o'clock. To-morrow will be Mrs. Vesey's
birthday; and there's to be a little treat at the schoolhouse, as well
as our tea at the Vicarage. You'll come?'

Ned fidgeted and turned all colours. He was a straightforward, honest
boy, and his nature would have enjoined him to speak out and frankly
say that his word had been already passed to go with Jerry Blunt to the
woods on Wednesday, but his tongue was tied for Alick's sake. He could
see that Theo was ignorant of her brother Alick's determination to
carry out his rebellious mutiny. A fierce struggle raged in Ned's
mind. 'His honour rooted in dishonour stood.' Should he be outspoken,
or should he be faithful to his chum, Master Alick?

'Better be true,' said the clear voice of conscience.

'No. Better still stick to your friend through thick and thin,'
contradicted a louder voice. How well the last specious suggestion
sounded! So did the whispers of the serpent in Eden in Eve's ears.

'You will come to the tea-party, then?' said Theo, rising from her
stool to depart.

'Thank ye, Miss Theedory; yes, I'll come,' was the mumbled reply; and
in an agony of shame Ned shambled out of the cottage, making believe to
be busy over the tangled brown nets lying in front of the door.

He was a capable lad enough, was Ned, and the Fletchers looked upon him
as a promising hand already in the boat. Loving the sea passionately,
he had been gay as a lark all day, watching keenly for the expected
coming