denly on
salt-water channels in the midst of fields at long distances from the
sea, and find cockles on stretches of mud where you might expect frog
spawn or black slugs. Therefore, it is quite likely that the high-tide
line would really, if it were stretched out straight, reach right across
Ireland and far put into St. George's Channel.

In Rosnacree House, along with Sir Lucius, lives Juliet Lentaigne, his
maiden sister, elderly, intellectual, dominating, the competent mistress
of a sufficient staff of servants. She lived there in her girlhood. She
returned to live there after the death of Lady Lentaigne. Priscilla, Sir
Lucius' only child, comes to Rosnacree House for such holidays as are
granted by a famous Dublin school. She was sent to the school at the age
of eleven because she rebelled against her aunt. Having reached the age
of fifteen she rebels more effectively, whenever the coming of holidays
affords opportunity.

Being a young woman of energy, determination and skill in rebellion,
she made an assault upon her Aunt Juliet's authority on the very first
morning of her summer holidays. She began at breakfast time.

"Father," she said, "I may go to meet Cousin Frank at the train, mayn't
I?"

"Certainly," said Sir Lucius.

It was right that some one should meet Frank Mannix on his arrival.
Sir Lucius did not want to do so himself. A youth of seventeen is a
troublesome guest, difficult to deal with. He is neither man enough
to associate on quite equal terms with grown men nor boy enough to be
turned loose to play according to his own devices. Sir Lucius did not
look forward to the task of entertaining his nephew. He was pleased that
Priscilla should take some part, even a small part, of the business off
his hands.

Priscilla glanced triumphantly at her aunt.

"There is no possible objection," said Miss Lentaigne, "to your meeting
your cousin at the train, but if you are to do so you cannot spend the
morning in your boat."

Priscilla thought she could.

"I'm only going as far as Delginish to bathe," she said. "I'll be back
in lots of time."

"Be sure you are," said Sir Lucius.

"After being out in the boat," said Miss Lentaigne, "you will be both
dirty and untidy, certainly not fit to meet your cousin at the train."

Priscilla, who had a good deal of experience of boats, knew that her
aunt's fears were well founded. But she had not yet reached the age at
which a girl thinks it desirable to be clean,