s stones, shells, and seaweed, etc.
These were duly admired. Then I brought out the old weapons, and undid
the bundles of garments, but being rather musty the effect upon my
onlookers was not great; in fact, my mother gave it as her opinion that
they (the costumes) might breed a fever or some foreign disease, and
should be buried or burnt. To this I could not consent however till I
had had a little more time to look them over and make drawings of them;
not that I ever intended setting up as a theatrical costumier, but I
have a great love for anything old, which my friends tell me will
ultimately become chronic, so that I shall have to be watched when
visiting museums and kindred places, for fear of the development of
kleptomania.

Expectation ran high as I produced the key of the padlock to unchain the
big chest, for we had purchased an old lock at Alderney, from mine host
of the inn. The lid was raised, and I produced the three books, but as
no one could read them they were put down as evil-smelling things, musty
and mysterious.

Next the small golden casket was produced and handed round, amid great
exclamations of delight, for I had polished it till it glittered again
in the sunlight. The polished gems on the lid and sides found great
favour in the sight of mother and Priscilla, who were quite lost in
wonder as to where I had obtained it. Presently I opened it, and poured
the uncut gems out upon the table, as a sample of Jethou pebbles; but
they were not much appreciated, although when held to the light they
certainly shewed rich colouring.

"Only fancy walking about on a beach covered with these coloured stones.
I should think they look rather pretty when they are wet with sea water
and the sun shines on them. But then I suppose when you see them by the
_ton_, day after day, you take no notice of them?"

This was Priscilla's idea, and when I told her that they were not so
common as to be walked upon or shovelled up by the _ton_, but that they
were really and truly diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, in
their natural uncut state, she would scarcely believe it. Even my
mother expressed her incredulity with the remark, "Go along, boy! I
suppose we shall not know a turnip from an apple next?"

As my veracity appeared to be at stake I now produced a little pouch of
cut, lustrous gems, which at once brought forth quite a different flight
of exclamations and queries.

"The ducks! How lovely! How they glitter!